A lot of fans aren’t happy with Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which seems to be reflected by its disappointing box office returns, as now the movie is performing worse than Star Wars: Rogue One.
While J.J. Abrams introduced new characters in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and with the reveal of Luke Skywalker only at the end in a brief segment, the anticipation for Star Wars: The Last Jedi was through the roof.
However, Rian Johnson and Kathleen Kennedy failed to deliver with just about everything in Star Wars: The Last Jedi as characters from Star Wars: The Force Awakens went unexplored and were killed off, and their awful approach to Luke Skywalker is downright unforgivable.
Now Disney may be trying to fix Star Wars: The Last Jedi and make peace with the fans as a rumor has hit the net, which may explain a lot of things that were considered wrong with Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
If the rumor is legit, Disney will be releasing a new Star Wars novel – a Star Wars Episode 8.5 – which will explain a lot of back story offering further insight into the motivations and background of various characters including more about Luke, Snoke, Poe Cameron, Finn, etc.
A new Star Wars novel that is movie canon would actually be the first of its kind and a brilliant move on the part of Disney. While the previous Star Wars novels are not considered canon by George Lucas, Disney could be creating a whole line of new novels that are canon, which may equate to an even larger audience if the movie goers scoop them up (and hence chunk of change) .
That said, obviously consider this a rumor, but it would go a long way into fixing Star Wars: The Last Jedi and would also free up (at least partially) J.J. Abrams from having to fix it himself in Episode IX.
You can check out the rumor below.
RUMOR:
Star Wars: Episode 8.5 Mysteries of the Force (Working Subtitles) Graphic Novel –Leaked Written by Rian Johnson and unspecified coauthors.
An unnamed source with deep inside knowledge of Disney and Lucasfilms’ plans for the future of the Star Wars franchise and particularly, an upcoming graphic novel co-authored by Rian Johnson, director of their lastest film, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” has shared some very interesting details about Disney’s strategy for the brand and he fore mentioned graphic novel. All off the record of course, so keep some salt handy.
*Warning Potential Spoilers Inside*
Here is what our source had to say in regards to Disney’s Strategy for the Star Wars narrative:
“Since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilms many Star Wars stories/novels have become non-canon. While this was necessary to forge a new and fresh direction in regards to the slate of their new Star Wars related films, this separation has had its collateral damage. Many readers now have come to see a diminished value in Star Wars books, past and future installments, believing the current films to be the only truly important vehicle that drives the new Star Wars narrative. In recent years, the Star Wars brand has sold millions of books; and Disney has no intention of losing this portion of Star Wars branding to oblivion. Now the plan is to use past [novel] entries –much like Marvel [Studios] uses their old comic story archives and characters for their cinematic universe — and blend them with fresh ideas to create a new story arc, using the books and films to tell this overarching narrative.”
Well this disclosure really lays out Disney and Lucasfilms’ desires to give weight to their future Star Wars literature, perhaps even giving them true novelty, if you will. This may explain why it seems Star Wars: The Last Jedi failed to expound upon the ideas and mysteries that were established by the previous entry, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With the former having been somewhat divisive among the Star Wars community, to say the least. And while these suggestions are very interesting, one can only hope apparent shrouding does not become a trend. But they are interesting claims none the less.
Now our source dishes on various plot points of the upcoming graphic novel, first, many pertaining to the story told in the “The Last Jedi,” and also a variety of other junctures.
*Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead*
● In the meeting to discuss Poe’s discipline after he disobeyed orders to stand down, Admiral Holdo initially stands up for Poe but is told by Leia that he has to learn to trust and respect his superiors and their orders, claiming that he required a hard hand approach. She contends there is no place for a ‘fly boy’ within their ranks. Holdo ultimately adopts Leia’s mindset on the situation.
● In the aftermath of the costly bombing run, Admiral Ackbar advises other far off commanders of Resistance forces that the First Order may be placing a trap to rally distant Resistance forces to their location, and that the commanders should consider carefully before coming to the aid of the Raddus.
● The First Order, strategically, do not outright destroy the Raddus in efforts to draw out additional Resistance fleets, desiring to centralize the battle and finally crush the Resistance entirely. They figure a distress call from their General’s vessel will rally their forces.
● Aboard the Raddus, whispers of a traitor or spy prompts suspicions and anxiety. Finn is even proposed as a potential mole. Some at least figure he is terrified of being recaptured by the First Order and may flee or bargain to save his own life. Poe is aware of the canard, and partially induces his decision to send Finn away on the reconnaissance mission, with hopes this might move Admiral Holdo to be more forthcoming about her plan.
● There is a method to Luke’s apparent madness. With Rey, Luke tries not to live up to the potential legends, fables and expectancy that surrounds his famed identity. He intends to undo the romanticized image of the Jedi, which had become a sort of idolatry, where many imagine them to be infallible and beyond rebuke. This is also the case when Luke recieves the Lightsaber from Rey and tosses it aside. When Luke touches the Lightsaber, he comes to see its eventual destruction.
● While aboard the Supremacy, DJ sabotages the ship’s shields. Saving this fact though, DJ has no plans of being aboard the vessel when it comes under attack, and figuring Finn and Rose as expendable soldiers of their own war, he double-crosses them to secure his own escape. (There is a deleted scene from the film that suggests this is the case as well)
Other details about the story of the novel but that do not necessarily pertain to the story told by the film:
● Exploration of the character DJ and background
● Broad revelations about Snoke and his back story
● Exposition of Ben Solo’s past, his eventual encounter with Snoke, his turn to the dark side, and his exploits with the Knights of Ren
● Elucidate on Leia’s apparent force abilities
● Exposition of Luke’s time before and on Ahch-To and major revelations about the Jedi Master
● Within the narrative, the “Force” and its essence is likened to that a woman, and a force – user’s relationship to it, as one of two associations with a woman. The Sith behold a lover; and the Jedi, a mother.
● Explication of force-sensitives and their distinction from force-users
Given everything this source has shared, it wouldn’t be crazy to be excited, yet this information should be taken with a grain of salt. But, so many things do seem to fit and make more sense than many first viewings of ‘The Last Jedi’ did. They truly give so much of the movie’s events a different context and make them more compelling. Heck, these claims could just about change anyone’s opinion of the film. Let’s hope even just half of these things check out.
(via reddit)
