The announcement of Star Wars Episode: VII has sparked great speculation. Fans of the franchise have expressed emotions ranging from elation to fury, and everyone seems to be wondering: How will the third trilogy compare? Some wonder if Disney’s wholesome reputation will undermine the spirit of Star Wars. Disney’s handling of Marvel thus far suggests that a partnership may be purely financial, leaving little to no mark. Yet, should the Walt Disney Company play even a minor role, it seems that the film will resemble at least one of their many tropes. Here are some of the possibilities:
The Princess Movie
The subject of great adoration and constant criticism, the Princess Movie has become almost synonymous with the Disney brand. So, when the Walt Disney Company-Lucasfilm merger was announced, it sparked the realization that Princess Leia now takes her place beside Ariel and Aurora. For this reason alone, it would be fascinating to see how Disney animators — hopefully returning to their cel-animated roots — might tackle a Star Wars princess. Han and Leia’s daughter would make the perfect candidate. Following recent trends, our heroine will not be another passive princess. The granddaughter of Darth Vader will find herself questioning the expectations that are placed upon her and challenging the status quo. This princess will find what it means to be a female Jedi in a male-dominated galaxy. Accompanying her along the way is her adorable, talking alien friend — remember that every princess needs a pet.
The Spectacle Film
While not exactly an actual subgenre, this is certainly a developing trend in Disney films. One studio executive told Variety, “People say, ‘It’s all about story.’ When you’re making tent-pole films, bullshit.” Disney knows that spectacle sells, and it is especially true overseas. Add to that the additional revenue of 3-D, and the money just rolls in. Yes John Carter bombed, but Alice in Wonderland grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Add Tim Burton or Jerry Bruckheimer, and Episode VII will challenge Avatar’s ticket returns. As for plot, it would not matter. As long as there are enough explosions, colors and flashing lights, the film will do just fine. It worked for Episodes I through III, right?
The Mixed Cartoon/Live-Action Picture
Once a hallmark of the Walt Disney Company, live-action films with cel-animated characters have fallen out of fashion in recent years. Walt Disney actually began his career with mixed media cartoons, and his company continued the trend with notable classics like Mary Poppins and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Of course, mixed media films have been replaced by CGI characters applying the same principle with far more lifelike results. However, if fans wish to see Star Wars taken back to its roots, then they should remember that among its guiding principles was a desire to evoke the films of Lucas’ childhood. By taking on a nearly defunct style (Enchanted was too much of a parody to count), Disney could play perfectly into the nostalgia upon which Star Wars was built.
The Pixar Film
The announcement that Toy Story 3 screenwriter Michael Arndt will pen Episode VII draws a huge link between the next installment and the illustrious Pixar Studios. Add to that the parallels between Industiral Light & Magic and Pixar in the world of movie visuals, and you have a perfect marriage waiting to happen. Pixar thrives on big, offbeat ideas: a rat that can cook, the last robot on Earth, superheroes in witness protection — just to name a few. Their in-house writers are a huge reason they have succeeded with almost every movie they’ve made. Hence, it can only be speculation what they would do with the Star Wars universe. Our best guess is R2D2's existential search for his programmer or a Wookiee hairdresser for the Queen of Naboo. Regardless of the plot, fans can be certain that the film will begin with an absolutely incredible first half-hour followed by a slow decline through the middle act, capped off by a finale that somehow redeems the preceding hour.
The Theme Park Adaptation
The Haunted Mansion, The Country Bear Jamboree, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Hollywood Tower of Terror. What do all of these theme park attractions have in common? They were all inspirations for Disney films. Unfortunately, only one of these adaptations has seen sustained success. Still, should a theme park-ride-turned-movie be half as successful as Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney will make back a good chunk of that $4 billion they paid for Lucasfilm. Introducing Star Wars Episode VII: Star Tours. Better yet, with Disneyland’s recent improvement to the popular attraction, Episode VII has been named as well: The Adventures Continue. Sure it sounds cheesy, but it’s nothing a big name actor like Eddie Murphy can’t salvage. Plus, with the proliferation of 3-D technologies, the movie could be one giant ride through space. How’s that for spectacle?