DreamMOVIE #1: The Spielberg/Lucas hit machine!

[ourchair]

"But I know how to deal."

That's totally an action hero line.

You got to know when to hold em! Know when to fold em!
Know when to walk away! Know when to run!
You never count your money when you're sittin at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealins' done!

 

[moonmaster]

Kenny Rogers ain't got nothing on me.

 

[ourchair]

Kenny Rogers ain't got nothing on me.

*Kenny Rogers puts a scoop of mashed potatoes on you*

Now he does!

 

[moonmaster]

*Kenny Rogers puts a scoop of mashed potatoes on you*

Now he does!

Mmm.

He does know where I like it.

*mashed potatoes*

 

[marvelman]

ATTENTION

i have shortened the round to end at 11:59 TOMORROW (so it will have lasted for a week) and for the voting to end three days after that. If you still have casts to post, you only have today and tomorrow to do so.

 

[SSJmole]

ATTENTION

i have shortened the round to end at 11:59 TOMORROW (so it will have lasted for a week) and for the voting to end three days after that. If you still have casts to post, you only have today and tomorrow to do so.

So tomorrow we have :

• E 's article in Boston Globe
• the return of Y2J to WWE
• Iceshadow's birthday

and now we find who will win this



Tomorrow is a day of excellence

 

[marvelman]

So tomorrow we have :

• E 's article in Boston Globe
• the return of Y2J to WWE
• Iceshadow's birthday

and now we find who will win this



Tomorrow is a day of excellence

well, we'll find out who wins three days from tomorrow. tomorrow is when all entries must be in.

 

[SSJmole]

well, we'll find out who wins three days from tomorrow. tomorrow is when all entries must be in.

well still ...... It's the start of the end





I just like mentioning Y2J's return

 

[moonmaster]

ATTENTION

i have shortened the round to end at 11:59 TOMORROW (so it will have lasted for a week) and for the voting to end three days after that. If you still have casts to post, you only have today and tomorrow to do so.

****!!!

This kind of sucks.

 

[marvelman]

****!!!

This kind of sucks.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

(dont procrastinate)

 

[moonmaster]

A LONG TIME AGO
IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY...






A PRINCESS BECAME HER PEOPLE'S SAVIOR,


A REBEL BECAME A HERO,


AND A BOY BECAME A WARRIOR

I've got to confess. I think Star Wars is painfully overrated.

Sure, I was all excited when Phantom Menace came out and my lightsaber was a constant companion for a few months, but hey, I was nine. Being a bit older, I just don't feel the draw that is attributed to the films.

I mean, the story of the first trilogy is actually pretty good. (And with the cosmogonic cycle as it's basis, how could it not be?) But there's just something about the films that keeps me from enjoying them. It's impossible to pinpoint exactly what it is, but I have some basic ideas as to how I would take A New Hope and make it into something that I could really enjoy and appreciate.

The primary differences in my remake are aesthetic. The original trilogy was inspired by the classic space operas of the 40s. With this in mind, I'm drawing on science-fiction influences that are more relevant to modern audiences, in particular the harder, more realistic sci-fi films of the seventies (Aliens, Blade Runner). I'm not talking about a grittier Star Wars Universe, but a more real, tangible one. The feeling of adventure will still be intact, but I want a palpable sense of a real universe, with culture, politics, science, and struggle. Star Wars has always struck me as being far more fantasy than sci-fi. I'm going more towards the sci-fi aspects.

Star Wars is known for drawing influences from nearly everywhere. What I'd like to do is down play some of these influences and drastically amplify others. A strong emphasis on certain styles: Martial arts films, spaghetti westerns, hard science fiction, historical and religious events. All of these would be strengthened in order to create a more rich and intense Star Wars Universe.

More than anything else, I want there to be an underlying point to the whole story. I've always viewed Star Wars as an odd mishmash of themes and messages. I'm going for a more singular notion, where the overall plot represents the struggle between religion and zealotry. The Jedi represent a more pure form of belief and practice, while the Empire represents extremism and the use of religion to justify violence and hatred.

I hope I haven't just been rambling here. (The deadline came up so fast that it was hard to organize all my thoughts. Grumblegrumble...)

Without further ado, here is my cast, accompanied by concept art. (NOTE: The art was produced before I decided on the actors, which is why they might not always match.)​

Luke Skywalker - Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Luke Skywalker is our hero, obviously. A young man who is pulled into a grand adventure and heir to an even grander fate. I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt could give him a more mature, serious feeling that I'm going for.

Obi-Wan Kenobi - Sonny Chiba

I'm envisioning the Jedi to be far more similar to Buddhists then as portrayed in the first film. (As evidenced by Luke and Obi-Wan's bald heads and robes.) With this in mind, I wanted Obi-Wan to be played by an Asian actor with real martial arts experience. Who better than the legendary Sonny Chiba? I can easily see him doling out sage wisdom to Luke and just generally being the epitome of the badass martial arts master.

Princess Leia - Keira Knightly

Leia is a strong girl caged by her own status. Being taken prisoner and rescued by a ragtag group of heroes is her chance to show that she's more than just a pretty girl with a lofty title. Keira Knightly was made for roles like this. I see Leia being a bit spunkier and her relationship with Han being set up earlier, rather than beginning a creepy, uninformed relationship with her own brother.

Han Solo - Freddy Rodriguez

My Han Solo is much more the cowboy/pirate, a sharp-shooting, caddish rebel who's not always very likable. I think Freddy Rodriguez is great for this purpose. Despite being a little short, I can imagine him doing something similar to "El Wray" from GRINDHOUSE.

I'm also rethinking Chewbacca and his part in the film. Chewbacca should be less like a pet, as he was played in the original, and more of a real co-pilot and Han's only actual friend. Chewy is a bit like an immigrant adjusting to a different country. He and Han understand each other, but neither can speak the other's language. When we first meet them, they've only got each other.

And plus, Chewy puts on some damn pants. Because no one wants to see that.

Darth Vader - Malcolm McDowell

For the venerable Darth Vader, I've chosen the venerable Malcolm McDowell. My Vader is not the monotone robot that he was in the original Episode 4. He's got a bit more humanity to him. In fact, I'd most compare him to Adolf Hitler: an angry, sick, tired, almost sad kind of figure. Someone who's let evil consume enough of his soul that he's losing touch with humanity and reality. With his acting chops and perpetually sinister voice, I think McDowell would be an excellent choice for one of the greatest film villains of all time.

And there you have it. One dissatisfied geek's reinvention of Star Wars.

I know it's impossible to remake Star Wars. Any remake would have fans pissed off, and this one would make them **** a break I bet. But this is what I'd like to see. (And this is probably only a tenth of the ideas that I've been thinking about.)​

 

[ProjectX2]

Great job, moonmaster. Special points for the bits of art too.

I'd go see it.

 

[Dr.Strangefate]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sonny Chiba are brilliant.

I had a whole idea going for star wars... maybe if I can't sleep, I'll put it together...

 

[Dr.Strangefate]

Okay, I started out by trying to simplify Star Wars down to its core… And where the original series succeed the most is where the political undercurrent meets the story of a boy learning how to be a man… I thought a lot about who Luke starts out as and who he should end up as…

The film would be most directly adapted from A New Hope, but would go the route of the original and simply be titled Star Wars.

Here's what I picture the opening of the film to be:

The Film opens on the floor of the Galactic Senate on Coruscant, We are introduced to the Senator Bail Organa and his daughter, Leia Organa. (She is not a princess, she is a politician) Grand Moff Tarkin is addressing the Senate on the progress of the Artificial Star Process, which he now informs the senate has been co-opted by the Imperial Starfleet for military purposes. Leia objects to this. Her father has worked on the creation of an artificial star to aid planetary systems with dying suns for years. Tarkin orders her to be removed from the chamber. While being escorted out of the senate, she grabs a blaster and knocks out the guards, running towards an abandoned hallway.

Her father finds her in his office, they argue about her outburst in the senate, and she goes off about how the senate can accomplish nothing. It might as well not exist, and the two of them have to finally leave all this behind and join the rebellion. Bail stresses the need to work for change within the system rather than joining up with radical freedom fighters.

We cut to Tarkin observing the conversation in a security room. An officer tells him that Lord Vader wants Tarkin to report to him immediately.

Things eventually move towards some of the original plot points, getting the death star plans to Obi-Wan Kenobi to deliver to the alliance. Luke's family gets killed by stormtroopers looking for R2-D2, Obi-Wan decides to take Luke and teach him about the Force… Leia would also start to realize her potential for using the force and I think I would want them to realize they are twins much sooner.

CAST-----

Leia Organa – Leia takes a much more active role in this film than she does in the original. She is as bossy as Carrie Fisher ever was.

Luke Skywalker – Rather than being a farm-boy, Luke is working in Mos Eisley trying to support his Aunt Beru since the death of his uncle. He looks to the stars, dreaming about a better life, but he can't leave his Aunt… He isn't whiney, but he's not all that mature either. He gets on Solo's nerves a lot, although later on the harrowing experiences they go through together they get closer.

Obi-Wan Kenobi – He is somewhere between a general and a priest, now living on the outskirts of Mos Eisley mostly to keep an eye on Luke Skywalker whom he was charged to protect. The Jedi at this point are considered a myth, simply glorified soldiers from the days of the clone wars, Particularly on the edge of the galaxy. He is much more hestitant about letting Luke learn the ways of the Force, because he fears Luke will succumb to the darkness just like his father.

Han Solo – The same charming devil he's always been, but with a younger, darker edge than Ford's Solo. This is a guy who would shoot you rather than pay you, and the story is as much about him becoming a decent human being by falling in love as it is about Luke becoming a man.

R2-D2 – Keeping the original beeps and whistles, and a similar color scheme, but he's just a security droid and he's a floating sphere…. He can still access computer mainframes and break imperial security codes, BECAUSE he is an imperial security droid.

C-3P0 – The property of Luke and his Aunt, this Protocol Droid looks completely human, aside from pale skin and inhuman mannerisms (think about Data from Star Trek, and Bishop from Aliens). His personality is generally the same as in the original. He and R2-D2 bicker a lot when they first meet.

Darth Vader – Vader is not in his typical breathing apparatus, and is in charge of the Armies of the Empire, reporting only to the Emperor himself. Tarkin works directly for Vader, and fills the villain role more in this film, with Vader appearing mostly towards the end of the picture, and him hearing that there is a young rebel named skywalker.

Grand Moff Tarkin – The real bad guy of the first movie.

[TO BE UPDATED WITH A CAST TONIGHT...]

 

[marvelman]

And there you have it. One dissatisfied geek's reinvention of Star Wars.

I know it's impossible to remake Star Wars. Any remake would have fans pissed off, and this one would make them **** a break I bet. But this is what I'd like to see. (And this is probably only a tenth of the ideas that I've been thinking about.)​

I really appreciate what you're trying to do with this movie. It actually sounds intriguing. And Freddy Rodriguez as Han Solo is BRILLIANT casting. So good. I can see him pulling off that smarminess.

One thing though is that I think with Darth Vader, part of his terror is that we cannot tell that he's really human under there, or rather (because Obi-Wan tells us he is) we can't IMAGINE it. So to humanize him would be a difficult prospect while still keeping his character intact.

But all in all, I do believe this would make quite a good movie. Great cast- Levitt, Chiba and Rodriguez being the strong players. McDowell and Nightley are also good choices.

Well done.

 

[Bass]

The primary differences in my remake are aesthetic. The original trilogy was inspired by the classic space operas of the 40s. With this in mind, I'm drawing on science-fiction influences that are more relevant to modern audiences, in particular the harder, more realistic sci-fi films of the seventies (Aliens, Blade Runner). I'm not talking about a grittier Star Wars Universe, but a more real, tangible one. The feeling of adventure will still be intact, but I want a palpable sense of a real universe, with culture, politics, science, and struggle. Star Wars has always struck me as being far more fantasy than sci-fi. I'm going more towards the sci-fi aspects.

This makes a lot of sense. You're slightly inaccurate in one element; ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER and others were in the 1980s (though a couple popped up in the very late 70s). What I think is nice about this is the approach to the material.

Originally, the TIE fighter dogfights were modeled on WW2 dogfights. And for 20/30 years, everyone copied STAR WARS. Then, those guys that did FIREFLY, went back to the original source material for inspiration for their take on dogfights, which led to the blurry shakey CGI camera footage that BATTLESTAR GALACTICA uses more often than plots.

So I like the idea that if STAR WARS is a homage to 40s space opera (like FLASH GORDON), then the new STAR WARS made for 2010 looks back at the 80s. And there's a wealth of 80s sci-fi: not just ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, but also THE FLY, THE TERMINATOR, THE RUNNING MAN, THE PREDATOR, STAR TREK, THE THING, ROBOCOP, and ironically, STAR WARS.

What's interesting is how different that STAR WARS would be. In my mind, looking at the above, you start to notice that maybe, just maybe, Luke Skywalker isn't the main guy. Maybe it's Han. Or Chewie. Look at those titles above. A lot of them have Arnold Schwarzennegger as the main hero. But also - a lot of sci-fi was HORROR. ALIEN, THE FLY, THE TERMINATOR, THE THING are all horror movies. In fact, I think the 80s is when sci-fi and horror first began intermingling.

Maybe the new trilogy would take on the aspects of those franchises. The first film is a sci-fi horror, with the vulnerable Luke as a main hero, with Obi-Wan trying to help him (and he dies in the process); appropriate when you consider that the first film involves two teenagers (Luke and Leia) running around a scary castle (the Death Star) from a scary monster (Darth Vader). Then, the sequel is much more action-orientated (though with horror overtones) and the main heroes are a bit more pumped up (enter Han and Chewie). And the third one can just be ****.

Also, casting Sonny Chiba as Obi-Wan immediately made me think of this STAR WARS more like FIREFLY. Which is insanely appropriate. STAR WARS does have a western feel to it.

So I dunno - if you were a guy in Hollywood and I was a studio executive, I'd hire you because gorram it, I think this could be amazing.

The only problem - and this is a large one - is that it is such a departure from the originals; which are synonymous with family entertainment; is that this project risks losing a LOT of its appeal for younger audiences, and with it, its eternal quality and charisma. It would have to be a very delicate balancing act, but I think, it could be doable primarily because of this problem. The fact that it would feel so different is a huge asset because it will be easier for people to enjoy it for what it is and not compare it to the originals, because of its glaringly different approach.

However, I feel that 4 months into the project, I'd suggest changing its name and starting a brand new franchise simply because I don't think this needs to be STAR WARS.

Honestly - I'm totally geeking about this idea. This is like my Indiana Jones pitch. I'm going to want to make this...

As for the cast itself - I only really went 'wow' with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A great choice. Kiera Knightley I think sucks. I don't know your choices for Han nor Obi-Wan, but I do like the idea of casting different ethnicities as an asian Obi-Wan is ****ing terrific. Malcolm McDowell as Darth Vader... I'm not sure about. I can imagine it working, but I think... I dunno. I'm not sure it would work as well as the original Vader. I'd love to see it regardless.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Sonny Chiba are brilliant.

I had a whole idea going for star wars... maybe if I can't sleep, I'll put it together...

I'll read it when you get a cast.

 

[moonmaster]

Things eventually move towards some of the original plot points, getting the death star plans to Obi-Wan Kenobi to deliver to the alliance. Luke's family gets killed by stormtroopers looking for R2-D2, Obi-Wan decides to take Luke and teach him about the Force… Leia would also start to realize her potential for using the force and I think I would want them to realize they are twins much sooner.

CAST-----

Leia Organa – Leia takes a much more active role in this film than she does in the original. She is as bossy as Carrie Fisher ever was.

I love the idea of Leia having some force abilities too.

It really seems kind of ridiculous for her not to become a bit of a Jedi as well.

One thing though is that I think with Darth Vader, part of his terror is that we cannot tell that he's really human under there, or rather (because Obi-Wan tells us he is) we can't IMAGINE it. So to humanize him would be a difficult prospect while still keeping his character intact.

See, I've never thought of that. I've grown up always knowing that Vader was Luke's dad who just went evil. I didn't even think of how people perceived him in the first movie. But in a way, that just supports the idea of humanizing him even more. Modern audiences already know his story and don't need to be scared and mystified by his initial persona.

This makes a lot of sense. You're slightly inaccurate in one element; ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER and others were in the 1980s (though a couple popped up in the very late 70s). What I think is nice about this is the approach to the material.

Originally, the TIE fighter dogfights were modeled on WW2 dogfights. And for 20/30 years, everyone copied STAR WARS. Then, those guys that did FIREFLY, went back to the original source material for inspiration for their take on dogfights, which led to the blurry shakey CGI camera footage that BATTLESTAR GALACTICA uses more often than plots.

So I like the idea that if STAR WARS is a homage to 40s space opera (like FLASH GORDON), then the new STAR WARS made for 2010 looks back at the 80s. And there's a wealth of 80s sci-fi: not just ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER, but also THE FLY, THE TERMINATOR, THE RUNNING MAN, THE PREDATOR, STAR TREK, THE THING, ROBOCOP, and ironically, STAR WARS.

Yeah, I apologize for my inaccurate dating, though I think that style had its roots in the seventies. Thinking about it, those attitudes could be looked at as almost a backlash against the romantic fantasy world that Star Wars had popularized in the seventies.

What's interesting is how different that STAR WARS would be. In my mind, looking at the above, you start to notice that maybe, just maybe, Luke Skywalker isn't the main guy. Maybe it's Han. Or Chewie. Look at those titles above. A lot of them have Arnold Schwarzennegger as the main hero. But also - a lot of sci-fi was HORROR. ALIEN, THE FLY, THE TERMINATOR, THE THING are all horror movies. In fact, I think the 80s is when sci-fi and horror first began intermingling.

Maybe the new trilogy would take on the aspects of those franchises. The first film is a sci-fi horror, with the vulnerable Luke as a main hero, with Obi-Wan trying to help him (and he dies in the process); appropriate when you consider that the first film involves two teenagers (Luke and Leia) running around a scary castle (the Death Star) from a scary monster (Darth Vader). Then, the sequel is much more action-orientated (though with horror overtones) and the main heroes are a bit more pumped up (enter Han and Chewie). And the third one can just be ****.

Ooo. That's interesting.

Also, casting Sonny Chiba as Obi-Wan immediately made me think of this STAR WARS more like FIREFLY. Which is insanely appropriate. STAR WARS does have a western feel to it.

So I dunno - if you were a guy in Hollywood and I was a studio executive, I'd hire you because gorram it, I think this could be amazing.

The only problem - and this is a large one - is that it is such a departure from the originals; which are synonymous with family entertainment; is that this project risks losing a LOT of its appeal for younger audiences, and with it, its eternal quality and charisma. It would have to be a very delicate balancing act, but I think, it could be doable primarily because of this problem. The fact that it would feel so different is a huge asset because it will be easier for people to enjoy it for what it is and not compare it to the originals, because of its glaringly different approach.

However, I feel that 4 months into the project, I'd suggest changing its name and starting a brand new franchise simply because I don't think this needs to be STAR WARS.

I definitely thought that the only way my idea could work is in a wacky universe where the original trilogy was never made.

Even if they did a shot for shot remake of the original with identical actors cloned from the '77 stars, fans would claim that it deviates too much from the original and should be erased from time. You just can't remake something that that many people love without them tearing you to shreads.

Honestly - I'm totally geeking about this idea. This is like my Indiana Jones pitch. I'm going to want to make this...

As for the cast itself - I only really went 'wow' with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A great choice. Kiera Knightley I think sucks. I don't know your choices for Han nor Obi-Wan, but I do like the idea of casting different ethnicities as an asian Obi-Wan is ****ing terrific. Malcolm McDowell as Darth Vader... I'm not sure about. I can imagine it working, but I think... I dunno. I'm not sure it would work as well as the original Vader. I'd love to see it regardless.

Keira Knightly was a last minute decision. Marvelman said that the round was ending today and I panicked. She was the only thing I could think of in such a limited amount of time. I don't think she's that bad, but she's just way too obvious for a role like Leia. And I don't think she gels with the rest of the cast either. I'm not helping my chances of winning right now, am I?

As for Han and Obi-Wan: Freddy Rodriguez has been on Six Feet Under and ER, but I'm specifically thinking of his character in the Planet Terror segment of GRINDHOUSE, where he's basically a dick with a heart of gold. Sonny Chiba was the star of the classic martial arts film The Street Fighter and most recently played swordmaker Hattori Hanzo in Kill Bill Volume 1.

I was trying to go for a more diverse cast, because I figured that Lando Calrissian must've been lonely floating around in the galaxy of bland white folks that was the original trilogy. I was actually thinking of making Luke and Leia middle-eastern, but the only middle-eastern actors who appear in American movies seem to play generic, shouting terrorists, making the task of casting both characters very hard.

 

[marvelman]

The round is over.

Voting begins now; you have three days to vote. Please PM me with your votes. I will post tomorrow quick links to everyone's casts because I have a bio test tomorrow morning and can't be bothered with it now.

 

[SSJmole]

I've voted!

I have not voted for the last few BUT only because I did not know the things done. Here I did so I got to make a fair vote. If i don't know the series I don't vote as I feel I may just be voting for the person not their cast. If this makes sense to you guys

 

[marvelman]

Links to everyone's cast, and descriptions:

Moonmaster: Star Wars, starring Jason Gordon-Levitt, Sonny Chiba, Keira Knightly, Freddy Rodriguez, and Malcolm McDowell. Rethinks the Star Wars universe but follows a similar narrative to A New Hope.

Houde Pt. 1, Houde Pt. 2: Back to the Future, a new trilogy starring Casey Affleck, Ewan McGregor, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, and an assortment of stars with roles in different time periods. The plot follows Marty and Biff's befriended descendants as they try to help Doc's elder son stop his Doc's son from manipulating history. The story focuses on the Brown brothers' struggle against each other.

Langsta: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom remake, starring James Purefoy, Naomi Watts, Langsta himself, Naveen Andrews, Chow Yun Fat, and Raoul Trajillo (or Irfan Khan).

Bass: Indiana Jones and the Resurrection of Babel, starring Nathan Fillion, Johnny Depp, William H. Macy, Tom Selleck, Ziyi Zhang, Bruce Campbell, Ewan McGregor, and Michael Douglas. The plot follows Indy as he battles Nazis funded by a rich mogul who is looking to resurrect the Tower of Babel and make money/sinister advancements off a united language. He must also battle his arrogant and fraudulent "role model"/inspiration.

Hellsbuttmonkey: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, starring Christian Bale, Hugo Weaving, Morena Baccarin, Morgan Freeman, Zachary Quinto, Nathan Fillion, Milla Jovovich, Michelle Trachtenbergh, and Adam Baldwin. The story follows the plot of the first SW: KotOR game.

Mole, Pt. 1, Mole, Pt. 2: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, starring James Van Der Beek, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Taylor Lautner, Ken Watanabe, Shin Koyamada, and Robin Shou (note: cast is incomplete and technically in violation, but if you want to vote for this cast, you may still go ahead). Disregard other cast members for other movies.

I recommend that you check out each source post and read the full synopses of each movie to better judge which DreamMOVIE you'd want made.

Vote on!