Disney Hands Star Wars: Episode VII to the Writer of Toy Story 3

[verdant monkai]

And the entire cast of main characters nearly dying in a giant flame and finally accepting their fate was hilarious? I'm not saying that they are exactly alike, I'm saying there's more common ground between the two than you give credit.

Nearly dying and actually dying is a colossal difference a colossal one. They could both be considered adventure stories with comedy elements, with Star War's focus on adventure and toy stories on comedy, that is their shockingly basic elements. That is all they have in common.

Star wars is a film about space adventures with a select group of people being able to control space magic called the force, the Jedi live a selfless existence bettering others lives, the Sith aim to dominate and control. It is the battle of good and evil, with allegorical references to religious materiel, ie one who will bring balance to the force is the messiah.

Toy Story is a story about inanimate objects coming to life and working as a team to accomplish a goal which will, result in their child owner being happy. There are various mishaps along the way but everything is positively resolved at the end of each film, unlike Star Wars see the empire strikes back and Han being frozen whilst Luke loses a hand etc. Or Revenge of the Sith with Padme dead and Anakin Darth Vader'ed.

They are not similar. Their only similarities are those two basic elements comedy and adventure. If you think they have a lot in common you are wrong, that is my opinion and unless someone comes up with something more convincing than "you haven't seen little miss sunshine" I will have my doubts about his capabilities as George Lucas' successor.

I will still watch them and you know what I would love to enjoy them, I hope my fears prove wrong and we get another lease of life out of the series.

 

[Divinegon]

Couldn't they get someone with Action/Science Fiction/Fantasy experience? Toy Story 3 was fine, but it's hardly the tone I expect from a good Star Wars film. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it, but this kind of news doesn't help.

You can't possibly judge something like that based solely on the fact that he wrote Toy Story 3.

I'm not judging him because of TS3, I'm judging him regardless of it. While it was good, I would have preferred someone with experience with films closer to Star Wars' genre and tone.

Like George Lucas? Oh right.

I'm actually quite happy because they're giving this franchise where the last 3 movies had no emotional weight whatsoever to a guy who was able to make every grown man cry with an animation movie.

 

[Doom972]

Couldn't they get someone with Action/Science Fiction/Fantasy experience? Toy Story 3 was fine, but it's hardly the tone I expect from a good Star Wars film. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it, but this kind of news doesn't help.

You can't possibly judge something like that based solely on the fact that he wrote Toy Story 3.

I'm not judging him because of TS3, I'm judging him regardless of it. While it was good, I would have preferred someone with experience with films closer to Star Wars' genre and tone.

Like George Lucas? Oh right.

I'm actually quite happy because they're giving this franchise where the last 3 movies had no emotional weight whatsoever to a guy who was able to make every grown man cry with an animation movie.

Don't put words in my mouth! I never said George Lucas should make another Star Wars film, and I won't have you saying that I have. If they would've said that he's going to be the writer I would've reacted pretty much the same way.

 

[Doom972]

Couldn't they get someone with Action/Science Fiction/Fantasy experience? Toy Story 3 was fine, but it's hardly the tone I expect from a good Star Wars film. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it, but this kind of news doesn't help.

Frankly I'd take someone with proven skill at writing good screenplays with decent characterisation over someone who just has sci-fi action movie experience. I mean, would you prefer Michael Bay be writing Episode VII? 'cuz he's got loads of Action/Science Fiction/Fantasy experience

I thought it would be obvious that I meant good experience. Why would you think anyone would want Michael Bay? Unless you secretly do...

I would only think someone would want Michael Bay if they had some sort of mental deficiency. I'm just pointing out the holes in your logic. Michael Bay makes films that are both sci-fi and, to most people's eternal regret, make money. Thats why you get films like Battleship aping his style. To Hollywood that makes him the ideal choice if all they want is sci-fi. So for Disney to get someone who can actually write is a positive thing

He did that films of those genres, but not any actually good ones (at least nothing that I've seen). Of course he wouldn't be an improvement.

 

[Doom972]

Couldn't they get someone with Action/Science Fiction/Fantasy experience? Toy Story 3 was fine, but it's hardly the tone I expect from a good Star Wars film. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it, but this kind of news doesn't help.

Well he also has a movie in post production with Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman and Jamie Lannister. "A court martial sends a veteran soldier to a distant planet, where he has to destroy the remains of an alien race. The arrival of an unexpected traveler causes him to question what he knows about the planet, his mission, and himself. " And he wrote the screenplay for the next hunger games movie.

So presumably he knows what he is doing.

I might change my mind if I see it and like it.

 

[klaynexas3]

And the entire cast of main characters nearly dying in a giant flame and finally accepting their fate was hilarious? I'm not saying that they are exactly alike, I'm saying there's more common ground between the two than you give credit.

Nearly dying and actually dying is a colossal difference a colossal one. They could both be considered adventure stories with comedy elements, with Star War's focus on adventure and toy stories on comedy, that is their shockingly basic elements. That is all they have in common.

Star wars is a film about space adventures with a select group of people being able to control space magic called the force, the Jedi live a selfless existence bettering others lives, the Sith aim to dominate and control. It is the battle of good and evil, with allegorical references to religious materiel, ie one who will bring balance to the force is the messiah.

Toy Story is a story about inanimate objects coming to life and working as a team to accomplish a goal which will, result in their child owner being happy. There are various mishaps along the way but everything is positively resolved at the end of each film, unlike Star Wars see the empire strikes back and Han being frozen whilst Luke loses a hand etc. Or Revenge of the Sith with Padme dead and Anakin Darth Vader'ed.

They are not similar. Their only similarities are those two basic elements comedy and adventure. If you think they have a lot in common you are wrong, that is my opinion and unless someone comes up with something more convincing than "you haven't seen little miss sunshine" I will have my doubts about his capabilities as George Lucas' successor.

I will still watch them and you know what I would love to enjoy them, I hope my fears prove wrong and we get another lease of life out of the series.

Again, I'm saying they're more similar than you give them credit. Not exactly a giant amount in common, but not an oxymoron as you earlier stated. And you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The guy may not have written any science fiction stuff, but I'm sure that he is a fan of Star Wars and wouldn't just write for it because of a pay check and will actually care about writing a good story, which he damn well can.

 

[verdant monkai]

Again, I'm saying they're more similar than you give them credit. Not exactly a giant amount in common, but not an oxymoron as you earlier stated. And you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The guy may not have written any science fiction stuff, but I'm sure that he is a fan of Star Wars and wouldn't just write for it because of a pay check and will actually care about writing a good story, which he damn well can.

Dude what do they have in common?? They are fucking Star Wars and Toy Story!

It is not unreasonable to say someone with no experience of Sci Fi should not be given the most important Sci fi film, AS HIS INTRODUCTORY PROJECT ON SCI FI. i MEAN ITS STAR WARS THE MOST IMPORTANT SCI FI FILM EVER!!!!

I am not judging the book with a scathing analysis here I know what is happening. Disney's high ups must be snorting crack to pick this guy with no experience. I don't care any more you guys are fucking wrong. He is not the perfect choice you are making me RAGE, none of you seem to understand that someone who writes one kind of story and is good at it may not be so good at writing another genre. IT MAY BE GOOD we dont know yet, I'll give him a chance but he is a weird choice.

 

[klaynexas3]

Again, I'm saying they're more similar than you give them credit. Not exactly a giant amount in common, but not an oxymoron as you earlier stated. And you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The guy may not have written any science fiction stuff, but I'm sure that he is a fan of Star Wars and wouldn't just write for it because of a pay check and will actually care about writing a good story, which he damn well can.

Dude what do they have in common?? They are fucking Star Wars and Toy Story!

It is not unreasonable to say someone with no experience of Sci Fi should not be given the most important Sci fi film, AS HIS INTRODUCTORY PROJECT ON SCI FI. i MEAN ITS STAR WARS THE MOST IMPORTANT SCI FI FILM EVER!!!!

I am not judging the book with a scathing analysis here I know what is happening. Disney's high ups must be snorting crack to pick this guy with no experience. I don't care any more you guys are fucking wrong. He is not the perfect choice you are making me RAGE, none of you seem to understand that someone who writes one kind of story and is good at it may not be so good at writing another genre. IT MAY BE GOOD we dont know yet, I'll give him a chance but he is a weird choice.

I'm saying the Toy Story guy writing for Star Wars is not an oxymoron, which you earlier said, and clearly don't know what the term means. An oxymoron would be getting a comedy writer to write the screenplay for an Oedipus the King movie. A good writer should still be able to work out of their main element, and even though there is a change in setting. Toy Story, a light hearted film with a serious undertone and theme about death. Star Wars, a science fiction space epic with plenty of funny moments(in the good ones anyway) but an overall serious plot about the forces of good and evil and everyone has a chance to change. No, not the same, but not some giant gap like you seem to see. Seriously, where is this vast divide you see in this? It's not the same, but it's not this great leap. And while I haven't seen a great many science fiction movies, I'm doubting Star Wars is the most important one ever, and I'm getting the feeling that your fanboyism is clouding your vision on this and might explain your negativity towards the situation.

 

[Furbyz]

Again, I'm saying they're more similar than you give them credit. Not exactly a giant amount in common, but not an oxymoron as you earlier stated. And you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. The guy may not have written any science fiction stuff, but I'm sure that he is a fan of Star Wars and wouldn't just write for it because of a pay check and will actually care about writing a good story, which he damn well can.

Dude what do they have in common?? They are fucking Star Wars and Toy Story!

It is not unreasonable to say someone with no experience of Sci Fi should not be given the most important Sci fi film, AS HIS INTRODUCTORY PROJECT ON SCI FI. i MEAN ITS STAR WARS THE MOST IMPORTANT SCI FI FILM EVER!!!!

I am not judging the book with a scathing analysis here I know what is happening. Disney's high ups must be snorting crack to pick this guy with no experience. I don't care any more you guys are fucking wrong. He is not the perfect choice you are making me RAGE, none of you seem to understand that someone who writes one kind of story and is good at it may not be so good at writing another genre. IT MAY BE GOOD we dont know yet, I'll give him a chance but he is a weird choice.

While I certainly understand your misgivings, I think you might have overlooked an aspect of Michael Arndt that probably greatly influenced the choice of picking him.

He is an Academy Award winning writer that lectures other writers on how to write better with Star Wars. He's not only studied (and thus likely is a fan of) Star Wars, he essentially teaches a class on it. My guess is that he was demonstrably able to show the Disney Execs that, above all, he understands Star Wars and what makes it good.

Whether he can execute that himself is an entirely other matter. I feel like he will certainly get the characters, but not necessarily the setting and world.

$0.02

 

[verdant monkai]

I'm saying the Toy Story guy writing for Star Wars is not an oxymoron, which you earlier said, and clearly don't know what the term means. An oxymoron would be getting a comedy writer to write the screenplay for an Oedipus the King movie. A good writer should still be able to work out of their main element, and even though there is a change in setting. Toy Story, a light hearted film with a serious undertone and theme about death. Star Wars, a science fiction space epic with plenty of funny moments(in the good ones anyway) but an overall serious plot about the forces of good and evil and everyone has a chance to change. No, not the same, but not some giant gap like you seem to see. Seriously, where is this vast divide you see in this? It's not the same, but it's not this great leap. And while I haven't seen a great many science fiction movies, I'm doubting Star Wars is the most important one ever, and I'm getting the feeling that your fanboyism is clouding your vision on this and might explain your negativity towards the situation.

Oxymoron when two opposites are put together for affect.

"Toy Story, a light hearted film with a serious undertone and theme about death" ARE YOU SERIOUS where is the death??? like no one dies in it EVER. They are very different for reasons I explained one is about SPACE WIZARDS the other about TOYS arrgghh.

Your calling me a Star Wars Fanboy?? Dude check out one of my earlier posts on this thread, I said Leia died in child birth when it was Padme. I know very little compared to some, ask me about Lord of the Rings though and then you will see some sickening fanboyism.

No My vision is not clouded yours is. Because you cannot see that he is not the ideal guy for the job. My negativity is due to stress from people saying "Oh yeah this should be good cuz he is like a great guy to carry on the series, even though it is his first sci fi project".

Look no one wants to see us talking about this if you want to continue that's fine message me. Someone may have something new to say rather than continue this now crusty old debate.

 

[Twilight_guy]

You know if he sucked as a writer, I'd be worried about his range in genera. He clearly doesn't has he has out-written most professional movie writers. Therefore, I will assume he has range and can pull this off. If he doesn't, at least Star Wars will be fun, as his other movies were. There are worse fates.

 

[0z0wen]

So still no news about when this will be set? i.e. pre-ep1 or post-ep6?

Also I liked Ep1 a lot, just saying... snarky subtitle and all.

it has been said Mark Hamil and Carry Fisher may be on board so most likely after return of the jedi

I'm unsure about Carrie Fisher being on board, I mean isn't she an alcoholic now and says that Star Wars is practically a milestone around her neck?

 

[someonehairy-ish]

If you think they are pretty similar, then there is something wrong with you mate. They need to get someone in who knows the material is a fan and has done similar stuff before, not a comedy writer.

I actually think that handing the reigns to someone who's a fan and who usually does sci-fi or fantasy would be the fastest way to run the whole thing into the ground. Modern sci-fi works best when its done by decent character writers, otherwise there's too much temptation to simply wow the audience with scenery porn and technology and other effects, which is one reason why the prequels sucked so hard.
And if you hand the reigns to a hardcore fan, there's the danger they'll spend to much time going into the details of bits of lore that only a hardcore fan will appreciate, and the whole film will end up being a massive fanwank that the goes over most of the audiences' heads.

A good character writer will be a good character writer whether his characters exist in the future, or the present, or an alternate history, or the past.

 

[shadowstriker86]

Academy Award winner Michael Arndt has been given the impossible task of producing a script as good as Episode One's.

Im sorry wut? Episode 1 had good dialog? you mean such lines as:

"now this is pod racing!"

oh and who could forget all the incoherent herpes spewing from jar jar binks'?

 

[Dr. Cakey]

Academy Award winner Michael Arndt has been given the impossible task of producing a script as good as Episode One's.

Im sorry wut? Episode 1 had good dialog? you mean such lines as:

"now this is pod racing!"

oh and who could forget all the incoherent herpes spewing from jar jar binks'?

"Luminous sarcasm is this line...not this crude literalism."

-Yoda

 

[GloatingSwine]

So I guess we can expect episode VII to be a tearjerker then?

At least it'll be for the right reasons, not the "Oh god what have you done?" reasons of the last three.

 

[BloodRed Pixel]

Academy Award winner Michael Arndt has been given the impossible task of producing a script as good as Episode One's.

Sorry???

The script of Toy Story 3 was better and more mature than Episode I, II & III combined!

 

[Milanezi]

Perfect choice! First time I saw the (original) trilogy, I was a child, today as an adult I can still enjoy those three movies, but Episodes II and III, I only watch as part of an "irrational obligation", they are childish to the point that it's painful for adults, it's like watching one of those teenager movies that try too hard to sound adult it turns out retarded.
Star Wars should be meant for all ages, like the original trilogy and the books. I think the choice was right, Arndt has proven he can do movies focused for a younger audience that are still very enjoyable to adults. In my opinion, kids are getting retarded nowadays and part of that is the shitty material they're being given, I had Batman when I was young, and X-Men, and Star Wars. To day Batman, for one, has become such a sea of blood that even Spawn would be terrified, we are growing old and our heroes are growing old with us, losing the innocence they had so we can still consume them with some genuine interest, that's great for us, but really, kids are getting cheated out of the game and handed deformed Avengers named "Super Team" or some crap. Soon we will have Mickey Mouse: The Later Years showing him in a bloody feud battle against an addicted Duck Donald or something...

 

[Marowit]

At last a good writer steps into the series...

The big issue for me is: WHICH GENERATION will the new movies be targetted to?
THE 10 year olds...? soooo Disney can sell also MORE "happy meals" with its merchandise?

Or we can expect "some" level of maturity in the stories and character development? (So we old-timers are not left out for a change?)

If having the writer of a Toy Story movie is any indication - both generations will be targeted (as do all Toy Story movies, and pretty much anything else that walks out of Pixar)