Happy Sunday, and welcome again to “This Week, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away“, as we’re nonetheless ready for the top of the SAG-AFTRA strike. No, this isn’t a dèja vu from final week, however I’m fairly assured an enormous announcement might be made inside the subsequent 24 hours. Maybe even by the point you’re studying this, it’s lastly occurred. (As I used to be placing the ultimate touches to the article, Variety reported that SAG-AFTRA is taking one other day to reply. May the Force Be With Us All.) That’s not the subject of immediately’s article, although, as we’ll be speaking about The Acolyte and a few streaming developments which will impression Star Wars.
But first, one thing to maintain an eye fixed out for:
- On Wednesday, Bob Iger is internet hosting Disney’s This fall and full fiscal 2023 outcomes. Why does this matter? Well, it’s been a historically related name for Star Wars. In 2017, it was introduced there that there can be a live-action Star Wars collection made for Disney Plus (The Mandalorian), in 2021, Bob Chapek introduced that Andor can be popping out within the July-September 2022 window, and in 2022, this was the notorious name that finally bought Chapek booted by the Disney board. It appears seemingly that we’ll get some announcement of how the strikes will impression the corporate within the close to future, however whether or not which means one thing for Star Wars or not, we’ll have to attend and see.
There Things That May Have Flown Casual
- Disney acquires full management of Hulu: We’ll get again to this for considered one of our principal matters tonight, however in case you missed it in every week of trailers for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, damning HBO studies, or only a ton of “Marvel doom” speak, Bob Iger has introduced that they are going to be shopping for out Comcast’s 1/3 stake on Hulu by the top of 2024. The determine: greater than twice what they paid for Lucasfilm. Worth it? We’ll see.
- Speaking of which, it was the eleventh anniversary of the Disney-Lucasfilm deal this previous Monday. It was additionally SWNN’s eleventh anniversary, so blissful birthday to us! Here’s to 11 extra, with you by our aspect.
- The builders behind Star Wars: Hunters nonetheless need you to consider the sport exists.
The Acolyte Hype
I used to be a bit shocked this Wednesday after we posted a narrative on the total record of writers for The Acolyte by the response from our readers, each within the remark part and on social media. Most of them have been simply excited to listen to the time period “writers”, in reference to what I believe we are able to agree has been one of many massive issues with Star Wars recently: single-writer seasons of TV.
To me, the announcement on the WGA web site was simply one other reminder that daily we’re nearer and nearer to the present’s launch, and I simply can’t wait. At this level, the one motive I’m sort of trying ahead to Skeleton Crew is the directing lineup, so may we simply skip it altogether? Just launch the episode from the Daniels as a particular or one thing and let’s get to The Acolyte. (I hope I’m compelled to eat my phrases in a couple of months, although.) Lesley Headland’s present sounds completely different, and it doesn’t actually tie into anything. It’s remoted, so I don’t need to persuade my pals they really don’t want to look at a four-season animated collection to get pleasure from it.
There are 1,000,000 causes for me to be overestimated about The Acolyte, however the principle one is that it takes the prospect to discover an entire completely different space of the galaxy. Maybe not geographically, however actually within the timeline and in addition within the characters: we’re going to the darkish aspect. But we’re additionally gonna have loads of Jedi. Could we see the corruption of a number of of our principal characters to show their lightsabers from inexperienced to crimson? Let’s see some battle that’s resolved with actual stakes; let’s kill off half the characters by the top of the primary season and herald new faces from completely different planets and backgrounds within the second season. Let’s do Game of Thrones in Star Wars.
The potential right here is simply off the charts; and hey, I don’t must see these explicit story beats to be glad. But I’m moving into with the expectation that this might be completely different, it gained’t be tied to the Skywalker Saga and it gained’t play it secure. And I reserve the precise to really feel dissatisfied if it doesn’t ship on these fronts as a result of that’s what the entire messaging surrounding the collection has been for 3 years.
And this ties again to Leslye Headland. One of the massive surprises to come back out of the information on Wednesday was the truth that Headland is barely a author on one episode. But on second thought, it simply made good sense. She’s approaching The Acolyte with the basic TV mentality: the showrunner is there from day one, to assemble the writers’ room, set up the tone of the collection with the primary episode (writing it and/or directing it; she’s doing each), and simply be there daily throughout manufacturing. Her footprint must be all around the present, however she doesn’t have to write down each line or direct each scene. And they aren’t simply planning one season, however writing an general plan for future seasons as nicely.
Headland is a real geek, as she’s overtly mentioned many occasions. She has sizzling takes on Star Wars and a journey of her personal, identical to each fan. And but, she felt compelled to usher in extra creatives to reinforce her thought and run with it. It’s what Tony Gilroy did, and truthfully, Andor was so nicely written due to that. Now, I’m not gonna fake like I’ve heard of each single particular person on that record, or that I’ve watched the whole lot they’ve labored on. The record is huge and their background, numerous.
And that’s the important thing: There are two individuals from House of the Dragon, and they’re the writers behind two of the perfect episodes of that season. There are additionally employees writers from WandaVision, Mr. Robot, and Better Things, amongst others. And there are additionally individuals there who’re taking their first shot at co-writing a script. Which is what exhibits like The Acolyte ought to do. They ought to herald individuals with nice aspirations who’ve good concepts, however possibly not essentially the expertise. And now, with the assistance of people that do have the required background, discover their voice.
Here’s additionally one more reason to be enthusiastic about it. From all accounts, they shot numerous stuff in actual areas, however additionally they used the Volume soundstages at Shinfield Studios close to London. So sure, they’re utilizing that StageCraft expertise as a software, however they aren’t over-relying on it. At least, from the sound of issues. It’s clearly too early to inform if it would work, however I’m optimistic about it.
The solely draw back right here is after we deliver up the discharge date for the present. I actually consider that the preliminary, pre-strike plans have been for The Acolyte to come back out round May the Fourth, however between Skeleton Crew being pushed into God-knows-when in 2024, and the strike seemingly pushing Andor season 2 into the autumn of 2024, if not early 2025, we’d truly be trying right into a late summer time 2024 window for the Amandla Stenberg-led collection.
Speaking of whom, I actually hope we get a primary take a look at their character in a month or so, much like what we bought from Ahsoka again in December 2022.
How Marvel’s Echo‘s Release Plans Could Affect Star Wars
Variety‘s massive “Crisis at Marvel” article from Wednesday was met with a ton of backlash from the Internet and being known as out by individuals like Michael Starburry for possibly not reporting on correct information when it got here to Blade scripts. But it was additionally balanced out by the discharge of the first look on the Disney Plus collection Echo, which shut numerous mouths. (Personally, I’m nonetheless skeptical, however this isn’t the place for that.)
The promo was launched on Friday, together with the announcement that every one 5 episodes might be streaming on January 10 each on Disney Plus and Hulu. Already, loads to digest right here. First, let’s keep in mind that Marvel has beforehand formed Star Wars‘ launch plans on Disney Plus, when, after June 2021’s Loki season 1 shifted the principle Disney Plus launch day to Wednesdays, Star Wars adopted airing subsequent exhibits, beginning with The Book of Boba Fett, on that weekday.
Interestingly, Loki season 2 (which involves an finish this week) shifted again to Fridays (and the scores apparently haven’t blown off the roof). And it’s not like Marvel hasn’t discovered from Star Wars both. Ahsoka launched the Tuesday night launch, and the God of Mischief adopted up. Now, Echo goes again to Wednesdays. Will this flip right into a late Tuesday as soon as once more, or keep on Wednesday at midnight PT? Not certain about that, however I actually suppose the Tuesday night launch is right here to remain. And for what it’s value, I prefer it — as somebody dwelling in Europe, this provides me the choice to both keep up and watch it dwell at 3am, or get up early the following day, watch the episode whereas I’ve breakfast, and get to work at an affordable time. Before, I needed to wait till 9am and I wouldn’t get to the workplace till 10.30am or so.
So what in regards to the dumping-all-at-once plan Echo is pulling off? I actually don’t see this occurring for Lucasfilm anytime quickly, exterior of smaller releases like Young Jedi Adventures (which, by the best way, is coming again this week) or Star Wars: Visions. But proper now, the studio doesn’t have as many exhibits popping out as Marvel, in order that they need to maximize the expertise for all of them (exterior of possibly doing two- or three-episode releases like with Ahsoka or Andor).
Also, Echo is 5 episodes lengthy, which is the shortest live-action season from Marvel or Lucasfilm (except I’m lacking one thing massive right here). If Lucasfilm have been to ever put collectively a four-episode arc targeted on Ezra’s doings in between Rebels and Ahsoka, or a shorter second season of The Book of Boba Fett that might possibly tie into one other challenge, then possibly we’ll talk about. But to this point, I don’t see this occurring.
Then, there’s the entire Disney-Hulu twin launch. And that’s one thing I consider has some potential for Lucasfilm. Andor has already had a brief run on Hulu, and that screams like a present that might actually enchantment to the subscribers of that streaming service. If by the point season 2 comes out Bob Iger hasn’t folded Hulu into Disney Plus, I may see that twin launch occurring. And, sight unseen, I may additionally see The Acolyte pulling off one thing related. If you actually promote the Hulu subscribers on the ethical ambiguity of that present, in addition to the grittier elements of the story, I believe you could possibly discover a strong base there.
The merging of each streaming providers looks like an actual chance, now that the Mouse House is buying full management, but in addition capturing themselves within the foot — in any case, the title “Disney” on the service lures in a ton of households, but it surely’s additionally an enormous flip off for a big chunk of the demographic that possibly is extra all in favour of Hulu’s choices. At this level, nonetheless, it looks like the way forward for the streaming wars is bundling, the place subscribers all in favour of each providers will simply pay barely greater than what solo-platform clients are charged.
But we’ll depart that dialogue for an additional day, and maybe one other place too. Keep an eye fixed out for it on Wednesday in the event you’re , although.
Jocasta Nu’s Reading List
- SWNN: There’s actually no different approach to begin off this record than sharing Nate Manning’s glowing evaluation of The Eye of Darkness, which formally kicks off Phase III of The High Republic. Written by George Mann, it comes out on Nov. 14.
- Screen Rant: One of the massive plot factors of Claudia Gray’s Bloodline was how the galaxy reacted to studying Vader was Leia’s father. So El Kuiper asks: how will they now react to studying about Rey’s lineage when she tries to construct the New Jedi Order?
- CBR: Matthew Vaughn might imagine Star Wars wants a do-over, however Ryden Scarnato actually thinks it’s the very last thing the franchise wants proper now. I couldn’t agree extra with most of his factors.
- FilmWeb: Speaking of which, Star Wars was as soon as the top of storytelling and filmmaking. It’s not anymore. Can we simply settle for it, and transfer on? Here’s that argument from Kyle Kruske.
What did you consider the most recent version of “This Week, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away”? Let me know your feedback, solutions, and complaints within the remark part. You may also ship them to us straight through our Contact web page or by emailing us at [email protected]. Have a superb week!
Miguel Fernández is a Spanish scholar that has motion pictures as his second ardour in life. His favourite film of all time is The Lord of the Rings, however he’s additionally an enormous Star Wars fan. However, fantasy motion pictures are usually not his solely cup of tea, as motion pictures from Scorsese, Fincher, Kubrick or Hitchcock have been an obsession for him since he began to grasp the language of filmmaking. He is that man who will watch a black and white film, simply because it’s in black and white.
