Next Generation of Ticket-Buyers
We are now less than one month away from the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There's still time to prepare my nervous system. Luckily, part of me is a little calm since tickets were available online and I managed to get them at a Regal theater that offered reserved seating. That sets my mind a bit at ease, since I won't have to stand in line anxious to get a decent spot in the theater.
I hope everyone reading this was able to get tickets as well, or will be able to at the opening. Just remember, according to some media sources, many theaters are prohibiting the wearing of masks and the possession of fake/toy weapons (even lightsabers) in theaters.
I can understand these rules, and thinking about the reason behind them would surely start a depressing conversation. But the promise of adventure in a galaxy far away will take our minds off the troubles rattling our planet lately. Star Wars has good guys and bad guys. where the bad guys think they're right but will force others to believe it by any means necessary. and where the good guys think they're right. but strive for freedom and will fight for it when other options are spent.
When Star Wars came out, it lifted people out of the doldrums of hard times and gave people hope if they'd only look beyond the petty hatred in the world to a larger grander purpose. I hope that The Force Awakens can lift us up to show us what is worth fighting for and what kind of people can become heroes. When we talk about Star Wars, I think that's what we all hope for at the outset of these new adventures. We'll get to see our old friends, but we'll see their influence pour over a new generation with a harsh world of struggles that is their own.
Being Spoiler-Free
Lucasfilm has taken a very hard stance on keeping the lead-up to the movie spoiler-free. They have gone to great lengths to keep secrets of the plot locked away from prying eyes. For one example, they have delayed the release of the movie's novelization until December 18 in electronic form (January 5 for hardcover) so the story isn't revealed before the movie can be seen.
The novelization of Star Wars was out several months before the film's release, but nobody knew what the movie was about yet anyway—at the time the book served the purpose of hyping the movie, as did the Marvel comic book adaptation. Lucasfilm has also not given a copy of the movie over to award judges and reviewers, since those have been common sources of piracy in recent years. I do appreciate the attitude of the company in this regard to not only prevent piracy, but to also hold what seems to be little regard to winning awards. The franchise simply doesn't need them.
Another item that isn't available until the movie's release is the soundtrack to the film, also available December 18. In the past, merely the title of a track could reveal hints about the plot. For example, The Phantom Menace soundtrack was released two weeks before the movie and included such tracks as “Qui-Gon's Noble End” and “Qui-Gon's Funeral,” which spoiled the fate of arguably the movie's main protagonist!
As you can see, with the precise dates for movie-related items such as the soundtrack, they are taking such care to keep the surprises as theatrical experiences. I applaud, salute, and cheer for all these steps they're taking as I strive to keep away from spoilers myself. Even the trailers, like this new TV spot, is quite safe to watch.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens 60-second TV spot. © Star Wars.
Even when J. J. Abrams receives questions directly about the movie—and even from other celebrities, even from George Lucas himself—he does not delve too deeply into minutiae, and does so even to the point of being coy. That's fine. You can tell he's not enjoying withholding information just to hold back, but he seems genuinely affected by people's great interest. His smile seems to say to fans, “Just you wait and see.”
Making Land for Star Wars Land
A MousePlanet update from a couple weeks ago showed a construction report that hints at the Star Wars land's Walt Disney World location. It doesn't specifically pinpoint the exact spot for the 14-acre park, but it certainly looks like the work to be done is related to it. There is a section of wetland touching the southeastern border of Disney's Hollywood Studios that is outlined as a 22-acre plot.
This area brushes up on the very backside of Star Tours. In my past predictions I believed that this area would be the perfect spot for the new land, since it's sensible to include Star Tours as part of it; perhaps it would even serve as the entrance to the expansion. It is interesting that the area is 22-acres, which could hold the 14 needed for the attractions with room for backstage needs.
The one thing I didn't realize when I was making my predictions was that this area isn't simply forest; it is wetlands, which makes the project probably more difficult than just clearing trees and brush. The area will need some foundation and leveling, as well. However, I still hope that there may possibly be a forest ride like a speeder bike chase for a future attraction. Whatever happens with this construction, it will certainly be fascinating to watch and irresistible to anticipate.
We won't have to wait long for some new Star Wars experiences. Star Tours in Disneyland will now have a new scene from The Force Awakens, where the Millennium Falcon flies through the remains of crashed ships on the planet Jakku—a scene featured prominently in a couple of the movie's previews. And as a surprise to Walt Disney World guests, the new scene is now in action at Star Tours in Disney's Hollywood Studios!
Disneyland has already opened Star Wars Launch Bay, and the “Seasons of the Force” just opened there this past Monday, so you can hop on Hyperspace Mountain, the re-themed Space Mountain. You can already find videos of it online, and begin experiencing Star Wars in varied, tangible ways.
The Entrance to Star Wars Launch Bay is carpeted in a familiar design. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
I can't help but reminisce about my own first ride on Star Tours. I didn't even know the ride was part of the Studios park when I first visited it in 1990 (I think). The map is always the first thing I grab when I enter a park, and I was truly excited to see an Indiana Jones show listed there. As we made our way towards the Stunt Spectacular, a nearby attraction on the map caught my eye. It read, “Star Tours” with scarecly any other details. I thought to myself, “Too bad that isn't a Star Wars ride; that would sure be awesome.” My curiousity about it, however, kept poking at my mind as we walked to Indiana Jones.
As we approached the amphitheater, I thought for sure my mind was playing tricks on me—I thought I saw an AT-AT's head peaking over some trees. If it was, indeed, an Imperial Walker, I thought perhaps it was a fine piece of decoration. After all, this was a theme park about moviesthat promised lots of sets and props for all to see. Sure enough, when we got close enough, I took in the sight; it truly was an AT-AT in the midst of the Endor forest!
The AT-AT beckoning me to first discover Star Tours about 25 years ago. MousePlanet file photo.
We had reached the stunt show's entrance but I just stopped to stare at this larger-than-life diorama. But then, just as I about turned into the show, I made a fleeting glimpse at the sign near the Star Wars scene and it read, “Star Tours: The Ultimate Adventure.” My mind was in shock and seemed to be working in slow motion. I still didn't make the connection, thinking simply that the Star Tours ride was situated next to the AT-AT scene.
Without any further reservation, I had to get closer to it. I stepped toward it in a trance and can't remember if my family was near me or if they'd already got seats for Indy. The full sign came into view and I saw C3PO in the design. It didn't fully register. I just couldn't believe that there would be any connection in this galaxy between Disney and Star Wars. And as if to answer the questions spinning in my brain, I read on the sign, some smaller words under the Star Tours logo: “From the creative minds of Disney and George Lucas.” The moment must have been one of my earliest epiphanies—the sun shone brighter, the choirs were singing, and the music of John Williams burst in my ears. It was true: my favorite place and my favorite movie together—when I didn't believe that things like this could go together.
The rest of that day resembled heaven to my young self, and it's moments like these that make you wish upon stars and return to the Disney parks again and again to step back into those childhood moments, relive the wonderment of discovery, and let the troubles of the grown-up world fade in the background for just a little while.
Finally, here we are today where Disney, Lucasfilm, and Star Wars not only remian together, but are joined at a company-level and, like a good buddy film such as Toy Story with Woody and Buzz, they're bringing out the best in each other.
Next Generation of Star Wars Fans
With all this nostalgia I'm feeling as Star Wars re-enters pop culture with a bang, I can't help but also feel that this new beginning of Star Wars isn't necessarily made specifically for me, or for fans like me. Sure we love Star Wars and the movie looks like it's returning to form, so to speak, and that we're seeing our old heroes again—but this new birth, which includes the toys, video games, Star Wars Rebels, as well as The Force Awakens, is crafted for a new generation of people.
Star Wars already has people like me who grew up with the movies and saw the reinvigoration of Hollywood and the proliforation of tie-in merchandise that it brought. We're here and we're excited–we'll be there day one. While Disney and Lucasfilm have done well to keep us old-timers excited, make no mistake that they are counting on bringing in a new legion of fans.
But these companies, I believe, are doing it with sincerety to the fans and faithfulness to the original intentions that made Star Wars great in the first place: a heartfelt story, realistic special effects, keeping the plot mysterious, an ensemble of characters that are uncommon. It's like I'm back to the origin of my own love for fantasy—my own reawakening to what I've always desired in my stories.
For new fans, it will be an awakening to their own love of the fantastic. We want the new fans to feel the same things we did back in the day. We want them to experience feelings of amazement, of wonder, and of hope in the same way we journeyed with Luke as he reached beyond the constraints of his young life, knowing he could do greater things than the simple life he had. While we want to feel all those things again and in a new way, Star Wars was always a communal experience and one to be shared—it brought people together and with a shared love, the movie forged friendships and inspired writers, actors, filmmakers, stunt performers, philosophers, and children to reach beyond the constraints of their own lives as well.
This is what we want, and though it is a tall order for a two-hour movie, stories and experiences like this can truly spur people to greatness and help them realize their self-worth. Yes, we need Star Wars but this next generation needs their Star Wars. It's why we have shown the movies to our kids and friends hoping they get that spark of fascination. Now with the coming dawn of its continuation, we will be able to experience these things with the young ones where we will share those feelings of hope and immersion.
Force for Daniel
Daniel Fleetwood was dying of an aggressive form of brain cancer. A husband, son, and an ardent Star Wars fan, 32-year-old Daniel felt he would not live long enough for the movie's official mid-December opening, so he started an online campaign, using the #forcefordaniel hashtag to garner the attention of those who might help him. After his story spread in the waves of social media and reached the eyes of people like Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew—then to the eyes of J.J. Abrams and Disney—he got his dying wish: to see the movie before its premiere. Daniel passed away just a few days later.
Star Wars stories exemplify characters searching for truth, seeking out their destiny, and finding themselves on a hero's journey. Daniel's journey makes us consider our own destinies and to contemplate the mysteries of the universe. He and his wife shared part of their lives with the world online as they dared to tell their dreams and speak their wishes out loud. In these days, with high technology where our little words and quiet voices can potentially be heard by many and shared by enough so that even our heroes can hear them, we can recall the ideas of the galaxy far, far away and how technology can either advance humanity or fracture humanity. Here, it was used for good.
Pleasingly, the only news to come out of the situation was not any boast from Lucasfilm or Disney, but a thank you from Daniel and his family. I am happy for Daniel for getting his wish and thankful for those involved who worked to make it happen, but saddened that he is no longer with us. It was Yoda who said, “Through the Force, things you will see, other places—the future, the past … old friends long gone.” Although I never knew Daniel, we do share a passion for Star Wars. And as I watch The Force Awakens, there may be a moment or two when I ponder, “I wonder what Daniel thought of this?”
