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Five Things We Want To See in 2018

Posted by Bret&Chris on 01/16/18 at 07:05 AM Category: Star Wars Misc
1. Solo not sucking


C'mon Ron! We're rooting for you!
It seems that, along with almost everything else these days, Star Wars fandom has fractured and become divided. While there was fan controversy over the prequels, few came away thinking that they had completely undone the OT. Sure, the storytelling was weak, some characters were silly, and several moments were cringeworthy. But other than a few people who insist that George Lucas murdered their childhoods, the prequels just filled in some backstory, that maybe didn't really need to be filled in. The sequels, under Disney, however, have been truly divisive. Many fans think that the new films move Star Wars forward and have successfully balanced a healthy reverence for the old while introducing a vibrant next generation of heroes. However, many other fans think these films have rendered moot the heroic actions of the OT protagonists, given us unsatisfying replacements, forwarded a social agenda that has no place in The Galaxy, and generally served as a cash grab for Lucasfilm's overlords. Most unfortunately, the rift seems to have devolved into a battle between those that enjoy the new media, and those that actively root for it to fail. I am hoping that Solo ends up being a rollicking and crowd-pleasing adventure. The ST is taking on a more somber overall tone, while Rogue One saw the heroes on a suicide mission. Why can't Solo just be a fun ride? Isn't it possible that a prequel film can be made without ruining what we had always imagined our beloved characters to have been like when they were younger? I'm rooting for Solo not just to avoid sucking, I want it to be good and I want it to unify fans again. I really see no reason why Ron Howard can't pull this off. (Bret)

2. A worthy conclusion for each Spectre


I hope Hera makes it.
This year will see an end to the Rebels TV series. It will be Dave Filoni's first chance for a real series finale, since The Clone Wars was cancelled before it could be properly wrapped up. We've already known since Rogue One that Hera survives the events of the series, and she apparently continues to be active in the Alliance, at least until just after the victory at Endor. We also know that Chopper is at Hera's side the whole way. But what about the other members of the Ghost crew? Sabine Wren had seemingly reconciled her differences with her family and her clan on Mandalore, so it is certainly reasonable that she may choose to leave the Ghost crew (again) and go back to Mandalore. Zeb may likewise decide that his destiny is to journey to his people's ancient homeworld of Lira San, now that he knows that the Lasat were not wiped out. Having both of those characters survive the Rebels finale should be satisfactory, even to those fans that abhor the constant retconning of new characters into older and well-known situations. Either or both of them could leave the Rebellion for their own, completely understandable reasons, or they could continue fighting alongside the Rebels in the background. Killing either one off would be sad for fans of the show, but probably avoidable. Kanan and Ezra present a different problem. It wouldn't make much sense for two Jedi to survive past the events of A New Hope, especially since Yoda had communicated with Kanan, and Obi-Wan had met Ezra. It's most logical for the characters to either die, or somehow be disconnected with The Force prior to the events in the OT. Perhaps Kanan will sacrifice himself in some grand gesture that will either save his friends, save the Rebellion, or perhaps even save Yoda and/or Obi-Wan from being discovered somehow. Maybe Ezra is also killed off, perhaps he and Kanan need to join together is a dual sacrifice, or maybe after seeing his friend and mentor dies, he becomes disillusioned with The Force (as Kanan once was). Ezra could then go rogue (see what I did there?) and join Saw Gerrera's faction as that biker scout-helmeted guy that so many fans think they want to be Ezra. However Filoni ends the series, I certainly hope it provides a satisfying conclusion to each characters's time as a Spectre. (Bret)

3. Setting for the live action show revealed


This thing won't die.
We know that Disney is planning on a new live-action television series as part of its original content for the upcoming entertainment streaming service it will introduce in 2019. It's not known how far into development the show might be, or if it will stay on schedule, or even see the light of day. We're hoping such a show makes it to the small screen. Star Wars has shown it can succeed in the animated realm already, and there are even hints at a third animated series planned for the future. A live action show has been rumored for a very long time, but has never seemed to gain any traction. It may be reasonable to assume that, like the newly announced Rian Johnson trilogy, the television story will take place in a completely different time and/or place than the Skywalker saga. If so, there are plenty of stories that could be mined from the old Expanded Universe, with a common fan favorite being the Old Republic. But another option that could be pretty awesome would be to pick up the pieces from the often killed/resurrected Underworld concept. Underworld was the pre-production title of a live-action show that never really made it past the kick-around stage at Lucasfilm when it was revealed in 2005. It was said to be darker in tone than most other Star Wars media, take place between ROTS and ANH, and was called "Deadwood in space" by Rick McCallum. Star Wars: 1313, the legendary LucasArts video game which was never realized, was supposed to be a tie in to Underworld. A video game was recently in development at Visceral that was said to contain the DNA of 1313, but the studio was shut down by parent company Electronic Arts. Not quite dead yet, it is said that this DNA continues to remain viable at Respawn Entertainment, a studio that received a Star Wars "sub-license" from EA to continue developing a single-player action adventure game. All this is to say, it would be cool to see a live-action TV show based on the grittier concepts of Underworld and 1313, but it need not take place within the confines of the Skywalker Era. The themes could be ported to a completely different part of the timeline. Whatever is decided, Disney plans to go live with their streaming service in 2019, so expect to hear some more concrete rumblings about the television show sometime this year. (Bret)

4. Obi-Wan: Desert Nomad(scout) made official


He's got the beard already. Let's do this!
There's been a ton of speculation about the subject of the next standalone film, with many rumors indicating that ideas were being developed for stories about Boba Fett, Yoda, Jabba, and a nomadic jawa. And while rumors about a nomadic jawa biopic have only recently (just now) surfaced, we have a solution that would satisfy this need, if you follow along. The most momentum seems to be behind an Obi-Wan Kenobi feature, which was fueled not only by Ewan McGregor saying no less than 15,000 times that he'd be happy to play the role again, but also by news that not only was someone in talks to helm the project, but that there was even a working title. Still, nothing is official. And while many fans see this is the most wanted standalone film, there is also concern within the fan community that there's not much of a story to tell between ROTS and ANH, since Obi-Wan should be busy laying low and babysitting, while avoiding any damn fool idealistic crusades. Plus, the one thing that might serve as the (only publicly known) interesting subject matter was already handled in Rebels. Nevertheless, while the other characters would make for intriguing possibilities, we'd like to have an Obi-Wan: Desert Nomad(scout) confirmed in 2018. And not only do we get the movie that most fans seem to want, we got the jawa angle covered in the title as well. We do this for you! (Bret)

5. TVC launch is a huge success


Someone please buy those Rey's and Jyn's!!!
The announced return of The Vintage Collection was like one of those vidoes where a jerk relative gives someone a fake lottery ticket for their birthday. It started with explosve Ermahgerd enthusiasm. Then, when the only example shown was a repacked figure, that enthusiam descended into cautious optimism. Finally, when we learned that the totality of 2018 consisted 15 figures, 8 of which were repacks which would make up the bulk of the launch wave, the reaction finally setted on Ralphie's decoder ring disappointment at best. Some collectors even crashed through that emotional floor and settled on panic.

Those blasted launch waves! They don't haunt the collector lines, they terrorize them. I personally despise the 6" line, but aside from some good-natured ribbing, I don't begrudg those who collect that line. Many brick and mortar stores never moved past the 2016 Force Firday launch wave until the 2017 Force Friday launch wave. I don't wish that on anyone even if you're a terrible sixer that collects a stupid scale and your house is absolutely filthy (as I assume is the case for all sixers).

Not only is the Vintage Collection launch wave 2.0 comprised of four repack figures with only one new figure, the retail appeal of the repacks appears inconsistent. Jyn and, to a lesser extent, Jakku Rey will be predictably slower sellers. Meanwhile, Snoke, the First Order Stormtrooper, and, to a lesser extent, Kylo Ren will move relatively easily. If these figures are packed in equal ratios, that is, in our opinion, the formula for retail gridlock. Retail will eagerly order replenishment because of the figures that will sell quickly, meanwhile they will be accumulating other figures that may never sell. If the launch wave repeats the pattern of 2010 or, more recently, Force Friday 2016, nothing downstream matters. The line will be dead on arival.

So our wish for the Vintage Collection in 2018 is fairly simple and to the point. We hope (nay, pray!) that Hasbro and their retail partners manage this iffy 2018 Vintage Collection launch wave approprirately. Also, anyone who "waits for clearance" on that AWESOME Vintage Collection Assault Tank will get a fresh one right to the mush from yours truly. That's a promise! (Chris)

6. Chris's triumphant return to Bantha Skull


This is not an actual image of Chris.


Honorable Mentions


  • For someone to finally invent an athletic sock that is both comfortable and stays up.

  • For classic male names, like Eugene and Wilbur, to finally come back in vogue.

  • That the riduculous stigma against breakfast for dinner finally comes crashing down. IT'S THE NINETIES, PEOPLE. Get with the times...Wait, what? No way! McDonald's has an all-day breakfast menu? This is like the Berlin Wall coming down! What a time to be alive!



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