By Monique
I didn’t grow up as a Star Wars fan, and the prequels certainly didn’t endear me to the franchise as a whole. But thanks to my brother, I do see the charm in the original Star Wars movies. But I still couldn’t call myself a fan.
HOWEVER, this was all in the time before the Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens teaser trailer. What. A. Trailer!
I know there’s a contingent out there who’s still a bit salty with Abrams since he let Benedict Cumberbatch play Khan in Star Trek into Darkness, the worst of the two Star Trek new timeline films. Yes, that was a big no-no, to say the least.
However, I would like to think that casting decision was a lapse of judgement. Call me an apologist if you want, but ordinarily, if there’s one thing that Abrams has no problem with, that’s having diverse casts. Undercovers, LOST, Fringe, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the upcoming Mission: Impossible 5 are all on the spectrum of diversity. J.J. Abrams even produced the documentary The People Speak, which involves a varied and diverse group of actors (including Michael Ealy, Rosario Dawson, Morgan Freeman and Kerry Washington, among others) .speaking out about America’s issues with race, women’s issues and classism.
Abrams’ pattern of diverse casting continues with Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o are helping tell this space opera–which is rare, since black actors rarely get the chance to be the stars in science fiction–and newcomers Crystal Clarke and Christina Chong are also part of the cast.
Aside from diversity, the film looks amazing. It seems like Abrams, a life-long fan of Star Wars, seems to have imbued his respect to the series into the film, bringing back the action and fun the series sadly lost the more technology-obsessed) Star Wars creator George Lucas became. All in all, I can’t wait for the film. It seems like Abrams is reinvigorating this franchise just like Star Trek.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens comes to theaters Dec. 18, 2015. What do you think about the trailer? Give your opinions in the comments section below!
John Boyega as a startrooper in Star Trek: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. Photo credit: Lucasfilm
Julian 