Stories are important – they may be the most important facet in life.
A story can change your beliefs, outlook, or philosophy. They can teach you. They allow the dead to speak to you long past the time that they lived. The best stories give you hope.
The stories of George Lucas were those kinds of stories for me. Through Star Wars and Indiana Jones , I was exposed to all kinds of different interests – the inspirations that drove George. In trying to learn how he crafted his stories, I became familiar with the artists, writers, creature effects people, digital and VFX folks as well as the passions that drove George. Whether it was anthropology, history, cinema, or racing – all of it went into the eclectic stew that made up his movies. So it’s been difficult to look back on my last few articles and consistently see a negative bent.
With that in mind, in my last article I wanted to try and come from a positive place. I wanted to see if there was a way that Lucasfilm could move forward that would try to unite the very different sides of the fanbase – because there’s one other crucial element to stories – escapism. We’re living through dark and divided times, that have left us at each others throats. It’s depressing. I wanted to try and find a place where maybe there could be some common ground.
Luke, I’m Your Dad: The Mindfulness of Star Wars
A father and son find common ground in the land of Wookiees, Jedi, Imperial Stormtroopers, and Ewoks. The Force, it turns out, may be mindfulness. #MayThe4th https://t.co/Atjv5YxVUB pic.twitter.com/3b2ze8PdTf— Mindful (@MindfulOnline) May 4, 2020
Now – I’ll say straight away that I know Lucasfilm would never do this. Even so, I think the mental exercise can help us find areas where common ground exists, and hopefully point to a winning framework that could be used for future shows. With that in mind – what does success and “bridging the divide” mean? Let’s start with success.
To be successful, the show must draw a wide audience. It should have multiple leads with different backgrounds and conflicts – this not only leads to narrative tension, but also can allow people from all backgrounds to identify with different characters. The show should have real stakes – where plot armor does not exist, and people can (and do!) die. The show should have clear moral messages that show the rewards of virtue and the dangers of vice. Shades of grey can exist – but they should be there to further increase tension and to show that moral relativism is a trap. Finally, the show should have a reasonably modest budget, and have “mission of the week” elements as well as multi-episode arcs.
What about bridging the divide?
It’s clear that Disney and Lucasfilm as a whole are pushing social issues. While I disagree in large part with their version of “morality”, I think Star Wars always has had some moral lessons at its heart. At it’s best, Star Wars DOES show a diverse population with different goals and viewpoints. This is best received when these characters are fully realized – not just attributes acting as name tags.
So what’s my suggestion?
Rogue Squadron. No – not the movie.
While I respect Patty Jenkins and her desire to make a movie that has a Top Gun element to honor her father, I don’t think a movie is the best avenue to do this. Rogue Squadron should be a Disney+ show, allowing for long-form storytelling. Star Wars of late has become over-reliant on cameos and callbacks. While I love them, some in the fanbase DO have a point that it’s time to move on from established characters and introduce some new ones. I think part of the reason The Mandalorian has worked up to this point is because he was a faceless character living in the universe that we loved so much. Rogue Squadron would allow us to have multiple pilots, each with different backgrounds, agendas, and individual histories.
A direct adaptation of Michael Stackpoles novels would satisfy all criteria:
1. The show would have a large cast, but the cast could be relative unknowns. This keeps some budgetary costs down AND creates tension. Characters from the novels die. Others are spies or turncoats.
2. Merchandising – LOTS of new toys and vehicle playsets could be produced, which means more money from licensees.
3. The format would accomodate both individual missions, as well as a larger arc that leads to the liberation of Corcuscant.
4. Social issues can be explored – much of the Rogue Squadron series was about a virus that was released on Coruscant that sickened the non-human residents of the planet. This bred suspicion and mistrust, furthering the Empires goals, and leaving the fledgling New Republic with a crisis to manage. I think it would also be important to establish the Empire as humano-centric – isn’t it weird that modern Star Wars shows the Empire or First Order as so diverse? If they’re the villains, shouldn’t they have remained populated by British men? (No offense intended to the Brits!)
5. There are multiple female lead characters, not least of which is Ysanne Isard – one of the most brilliant characters to come out of the EU.
6. Kirtan Loor is a character who is described as looking very much like Grand Moff Tarkin, who uses the resemblance to his advantage. How fun would it be to bring in Guy Henry to play him? He already served as the body double for Tarkin in Rogue One – it might be fun to give him a larger part and legacy in the galaxy.
7. The stakes could be no higher than the taking of the legitimate seat of government, and the establishment of a New Republic. 8. Finally – if the series were succesful, it could lead to spinoffs – Wraith Squadron anyone? Of course, such a thing wouldn’t happen – Disney would have to abandon the idea of a rotating seat of government in their version of the New Republic, and nobody would want to helm an actual adaptation. Still – I can’t help but think something like this would be a winner.
What do you all think? Would you be up for more X-Wing action? Let me know in the comments below.
As always, That Park Place is your place for all the latest news, rumors, and great opinions on Star Wars!
