As Yoda would say, “Star Wars” Disney owns.
Disney’s recent acquisition of the “Star Wars” franchise for $4.05 billion has received mixed reactions from fans, which range from disappointment in what they see as former producer Lucasfilm’s greed to anticipation for what comes next.
Peter Beck, “Star Wars” fan and calculus teacher, said he has enjoyed the books and movies since he was a child.
“I wouldn’t go so far as saying ‘geekdom,’” he said. “My wife puts up with it.”
Beck said he is a little wary of what will happen next, although he expects to see better acting and directing in upcoming films.
“If they take it more too kid-friendly and less of the “Star Wars” universe, I’ll be a little disappointed,” he said.
According to Beck, Disney should continue the greatest aspect of the films: the storyline, which begins with the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker and continues with the adventures of his son, Luke.
“It’s like with any other epic story,” Beck said. “‘Harry Potter’ (is) all about an epic story. The “Star Wars” universe, the original trilogy, was Luke growing up and then overcoming his battles.”
On the other hand, sophomore Jack Coleman, who describes himself as a “hardcore ‘Star Wars’ purist,” said the “biggest event in nerd history” is definitely a good thing for the franchise.
“I don’t understand why people are complaining. They say Disney will turn ‘Star Wars’ into a baby toy when they don’t realize that it already has become one,” he said. “People talk about “Star Wars’s” fall from grace as if it has not yet happened, when in reality, it fell from grace in 1997 with the release of the “Special Edition,” George Lucas’s first act of artistic terrorism.”
Coleman said while he isn’t quite sure what to expect from Disney, which has announced plans to release a new trilogy, he said will see the new movies, “if only for heckling rights.”
“Hopefully, the new movies will actually have plots and won’t be pure fan service and ‘Lucasian’ dialogue. As for merchandising, there’s really nothing that would surprise me,” he said. “The films have been cheapened enough that I don’t think the franchise can sink much lower. It can only go up from “The Clone Wars.”
According to him, Lucas’s lack of involvement with future “Star Wars” films will mean great things for the franchise. In the meantime, he said he hopes fans can see eye to eye on the Disney issue.
Coleman said,“May the Force—not the midi-chlorians—be with you.”