Now that's an all-terrain pet.

In case you're not a Star Wars nerd like me, (and don't know that the proper term is actually Star Wars geek, or SWeek for short), Disney bought Lucasfilm. Actually, you might have heard that even if you aren't a fan of Star Wars, seeing how it is a pretty big deal. Furthermore, Disney has announced that a new Star Wars movie will be coming out in the next few years.What does it all mean?




Most people are excited about this, and with good reason. Disney took over Marvel, and then produced The Avengers, thus actually giving Marvel not only the ability to maintain creative freedom but an incredible boost in popularity. Maybe Disney could do the same thing for Star Wars. Now, as a true fan of everything (okay nearly everything) Star Wars, I have to voice my opinion, which I feel is in the minority at this time.  You see, the Star Wars universe is completely and totally unlike any other mythos. It has its own rules, and, more importantly, it has been developed communally instead of individually. When Lucas originally set out to make Star Wars, he had planned (or so we are told) to make a triple trilogy. Those of you who are quick at math have already figured out that that would be a total of nine movies, three more than the six that are (currently) out. Lucas knew by the time that The Return of the Jedi came out that the last three would never be made. So he opened up the continuing story to book authors. Within hours (okay, days) the inbox was certainly flooded with submissions. Lucas chose Timothy Zahn, a well established sci-fi author in his own right at the time, to write three Star Wars books. The "Hand of Thrawn" trilogy shot up the charts and became an instant hit. I have read them, and believe me, they are good. Since Zahn, who has continued to write numerous (and fantastic) Star Wars books, literally hundreds of books have been published under Star Wars licensing. HUNDREDS. And there are almost as many different authors. All these different authors have been given the chance to write their own stories, in the Star Wars universe. They have utilized different characters and time periods than those in the movies, but they are still Star Wars.





What's the point of telling you this? The important thing to note here is that George Lucas allowed other people to write stories in his universe. Comic book companies like Marvel and DC aren't known for this, or at least not in the way Star Wars is. And, with so many people writing, some confusion inevitably arose over who was right about certain details. This is the part where I tell you about something incredibly nerdy, the "EU." No, not the European Union, the Expanded Universe. The collection of all "official" Star Wars info. The stuff that is "canon." That which "actually happened."

You see, the problem with Disney making another movie is that there is no place they could put it! They could place it after episode VI, but that story has already been written. Other authors have added literally hundreds of hears of history after the events of The Return of The Jedi. Star Wars is unique in that it went from movies to books, not the other way around. Disney wouldn't dare go in on top of these books and make another movie contrary to the established canon. Neither could they make a great movie out of some of the books in that time period.

I mean, sure, they could make movies out of the Hand of Thrawn trilogy, those books would make great movies (if done properly). But, the problem there is that characters like Han Solo, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and others from the original movie trilogy are in those books, and, well, let's face it: Harrison Ford, Mark Hammil and co. don't exactly look like they did at the end of episode VI. And Disney wouldn't put in substitute actors unless they wanted their corporate headquarters burnt to the ground.

And, I suppose,  they could make a prequel prequel trilogy, but there are literally thousands of years of history already written about that time period too. So unless Disney totally wrecks the accepted Star Wars Canon, they are going to have a hard time finding a setting for a new Star Wars movie, much less a good Star Wars movie. Now, I have faith in Disney. I'm a huge fan of Disney. Their movies are great. I grew up watching Disney movies, and I haven't yet found a good reason to stop. And if, anyone can do it, it's Disney. But let me just say that I think it's doubtful. I may be wrong, and the new Star Wars movie may be awesome. But I've got my money (that is, my theoretical money) on 'not so much.' This whole "Disney buying Star Wars and making another movie thing" is either the worst idea ever or the best; only time will tell.