Filmsane

Well, Solo – A Star Wars Story premiered this week worldwide and quite frankly it wasn’t met with the best reviews.

Currently, It holds 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and it didn’t met the expectations despite all the production problems it faces. But Solo is just the first of many standalone Star Wars spin off projects that has been announced. James Mangold directed Boba Fett movie is in the works, and Danny Glover recently discussed the possibility of a Lando Calrissian solo movie in the near future. Oh and we can’t forget about the announced live action Star Wars series that was just announced. Jon Favreau will be directing the series, and will be set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

Are you tired and overwhelmed just by reading these pieces of information? I know I am. And i’m a huge Star Wars fan. But aren’t these solo projects a bit tiring? Up to this point I feel like Lucasfilm/Disney is milking the franchise up to the very last drop, and they have no intentions in stopping. Seriously. In this youth obsessed culture I know that some light should be shined on the younger actors, but does it has to be on the cost of seeing them in the younger version of your beloved (old) characters?

Solo failed to capture the audience because the lack of energy and captivating storyline. It had nothing to do with the casting of those much younger actors. Or with the replacement of the director in the middle of shooting. No, like in every movie, not just a movie within the Star Wars universe, the story (and the script of course) is the most important key factor of success. And did you notice how the road to the movie theater for Solo – A Star Wars story was similar to almost every single bad blockbuster out there? From DC Comics to the one in the Transformers franchise? The hoopla and initial excitement is steadily maintained by the very talented marketing department for a significant period of time. But… Once the initial reactions for the movie are out, and especially if they are not that favorable the movie sinks faster than the Titanic…

Ava Duvernay’s A wrinkle in time had a similar fate too. You can hold on to the Oscar bait and star power for so long, if you know what I mean? But, regardless of who plays Luke Skywalker in the Jon Favreau’s live action series or regardless of who plays Boba Fett in the upcoming solo film, my suggestion for better quality would be to stick to the scrip. You can have Leo Dicaprio in the film and it would still be terrible.

So here’s my slightly radical idea… I know that you need money, and a familiar franchise is always a sure thing for instant money making business. I know that…. But why not make a new fresh franchise with Leo or whomever you want in the cast? I’m sure there are plenty of hungry writers in Hollywood who would do that for pennies. Solo, Boba Fett and Lando are old news guys. Even in new actor’s shoes.