Do you want a SW TV show?

VT-16 · Post by **VT-16** » 2004-09-10 02:06pm

Bah, I give up!

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2004-09-10 03:19pm

...Before the Dark Times. Before the Empire...

Actually, if you went with a small rebel cell, you could call the show 'Star Wars: Dark Times' and set it between Ep III and Ep IV. The overshadowing story arc of the first couple seasons could be this cell learning about the Death Star. End of the first season, they find out the Empire has plans for a secret weapon. End of the second season, they find out the weapon is a destroyer of worlds. You could make one of the characters from Alderaan so that you could show that world before it's gone and have some melodrama from the character once they find out it's been blown. And since Star Wars wouldn't be Star Wars without lightsabres, you could make one of the characters an outlaw Jedi who would be killed before ANH. There may even be a chance for Vader to make an appearance and do it himself. Though I don't think anyone would want to see somebody trying to impersonate JEJ for the voice. Lots of potential really. And people will get to see Stormtroopers and Stardestroyers and all the other Imperial lovelies.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2004-09-10 03:29pm

As long as we don't have any Trekish Time Travel episodes, we'll be fine...

Zac Naloen · Post by **Zac Naloen** » 2004-09-10 03:33pm

Though I don't think anyone would want to see somebody trying to impersonate JEJ for the voice

Theres no reason they couldn't get james earl jones, he was used in stargate season 2 for the voice of the unas in thors hammer

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » 2004-09-10 05:09pm

I think a SW TV series could be great, if it was done right. But thats always the problem.

I think one of the more important things would be that you ahve to keep the scope small, the movies show you the big picture and all the great hereos. Lets see the unsung hereos. One Idea I like is to set it before Ep IV and have it follow the actions of one of the smaller rebel cells. The show could be kind of a cross between S:AaB, Battlestar Galactica and Firefly.

Set it in an area of the SW galaxy we haven't seen much of before, make the main characters somewhat in the mold of Wraith Squadron but with more political and outlaw elements. Have them running from the empire, dealing with smugglers, crime lords, corrupt Imperial official, and even a few few honest politications who miss the Republic and are trying to help them.

This is a very rough idea but I think it could be a very interesting show, letting us see the SW universe from the point of view of ordinary people. The people who didin't get all the glory but were the actual backbone of the alliance.

Crazedwraith · Post by **Crazedwraith** » 2004-09-10 05:22pm

Zac Naloen wrote:
Though I don't think anyone would want to see somebody trying to impersonate JEJ for the voice
Theres no reason they couldn't get james earl jones, he was used in stargate season 2 for the voice of the unas in thors hammer

Thor's Hammer was season 1.

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2004-09-10 05:55pm

There are several possibilities for a Star Wars TV show that are good. As long as they avoid the following issues

1- No Technobabble!
2- The episodes must meet in-universe rules. The rules are not changed for the episode, the episode is changed for THEM
3- Preplan the season, and the next 2 at least out in advance, and make sure they mess with the existing timelines

Now then, the ideas that would work

The Clone Wars:
Why not the adventures of Kit Fisto or another Jedi master and his army?

Jango/Boba Fett:
His life from Age 20 - Empire Strikes back
You could use some stuff from the books for episodes
or whatabout the life of Jango Fett pre-Kamino?

Han and Chewie
There adventures pre-Yavin

The Marvel Star Wars Comics
101 Comic Books that could be turned into TV shows without alot of work and would be seemless with the Timeline
Just don't convert that comic that had a uber-weapon that made wookies sneeze (SHUDDER)

The Jedi Academy
That could be interesting. Say shortly after Kyp Durron graduates until the time Jaina and Jacen join

The New Jedi Order
That would make an amazing mini-series or 2 - 3 year Tv series, if done right.

The Rise of the Empire
Who wouldn't love watching the Empire fry Jedi every week?

The various Sith Wars
i.e Exar Kun vs Naomi Sunrider

Or even turn the Novels into a 7 year series.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2004-09-10 07:57pm

Stravo wrote:You could simply follow the adventures of a band of smugglers or even better yet the early days of the rebellion, intrigue suspense, whose a traitor, whose an Imperial spy? The backdrop would be the span of time between the End of Episode III and the start of Episode IV. Hell the series finale could portray the mission that stole the death star plans and kicks off ANH.

You don't need big if you follow around a small band of rebels, who need to remain undercover, inconspicuous and not do anything too grand. Add a beat up tramp freighter or a sleek courier ship and the galaxy is your oyster.

Of course we would run into the nose of the week phenemonenon of Trek but if Lucas is willing to sink some major resources into this show it COULD work.

But considering the state of TV and the quality of shows right now I sincerely doubt that will happen.

Agreed, if Lucas is actaully interested in doing it, and puts the resourced into it, then it could be something fun.

If its treated just as a money cow, then we're doomed.

The start up of the rebellion is a good period to explore. Disorganized, scattered, outnumbered, and alone. But I'm afraid the temptation of putting in a Jedi of the week or [insert major character here] mom and dad or some lame ass shit, is just too high.

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2004-09-10 08:28pm

It would be fun, I think... but its impossible now, with the EU and its entire attitude. I think any series would turn into a derivative pile of shit, like the EU, where characters basically the same as the regulars do the same shit in the same places. Every second episode will be on Tatooine.

It's a good idea though. SW is a rich setting, with alot of scope for storytelling. But execs (particularly LA execs) won't want 'good drama, but in SW', they'll want 'basically the same crap as SW, but on TV', which won't fucking work and will be creatively bankrupt anyway.

Its a shame. CW cartoon was kewl. If they got someone who wasn't a drooling EU fanwhore *OR* some major Creative Visionary, but someone who can write good stories, then it'd be great. But, we know what they'll do, and that WILL SUCK.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2004-09-10 08:38pm

Stark wrote:Every second episode will be on Tatooine.

Somehow I doubt a TV series would have the budget large enough to shoot on location in... that... desert shithole, whose name I can't even remember.

This assumes that the show will be live action, of course. On the other hand, given how the PT has been shot largely in Sydney at Fox studios, I wonder if the SW TV show will be shot in the same place? You've already got an established set and infrastructure, and veteran crews who are used to working on sci-fi shows. If it worked for FarScape for 4 years I'm sure it can work for Star Wars.

Kerneth · Post by **Kerneth** » 2004-09-10 08:57pm

You know what I'd like to see a miniseries on?

Wraith Squadron. The Rebel Alliance/New Republic's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" squadron.

1) No need for established characters. They're a covert ops squadron, for fuck's sake, they shouldn't be hobnobbing with Skywalker or the Solos anyway.

2) Good reason for not having to worry about EU minimalist shit--it's a covert ops squadron, they SHOULDN'T be running into situations against dozens of Star Destroyers and a command ship.

3) Lots of dogfights, with some ship-to-ship actions possible.

4) Get to see the dirtier side of the SW universe.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2004-09-10 10:39pm

I would find this desirable only if Lucas has nothing to do with it beyond maybe executive producting and giving the directors and writers a basic idea and guidelines to run with.

Tychu · Post by **Tychu** » 2004-09-10 11:09pm

I dont see why a SW TV series will be bad. I mean look at it this way when Trek still had Rodenbery the show was a hit. Lucas isnt going anywhere anytime soon so he'll be the head of the series like Rodenberry was for the original Trek. Plus why all this talk about how TV is horrible for a movie epic. I kinda remember a movie called Star Gate and a show that made it much more popular and worldwidely known. Now SW is already worldwidley known. A series under the guidance of its creator will only make it better. I am a fan of the EU simply because it continues the story of one of the best tales in the world (galaxy). I would really prefer it more to have more Star Wars something than have no star wars nothing after Ep: 3 comes out.

Techno_Union · Post by **Techno_Union** » 2004-09-10 11:42pm

Do I want to see one, yep. Do I want it to be like the PT, nope. I am still waiting (hopefully the wait will end with Ep. III) for the normal lives in SW. Not the Jedi, not the main characters, but the grunts in battle, the ships in combat, the civilians caught in the middle of it. A mini-series mabye each month or week dealing with major wars/battles from the EU would be nice, IMO.

Post by **Vympel** » 2004-09-11 04:49am

Stofsk wrote: Somehow I doubt a TV series would have the budget large enough to shoot on location in... that... desert shithole, whose name I can't even remember.

Tunisia.

Crazedwraith · Post by **Crazedwraith** » 2004-09-11 08:17am

Mark S wrote:...Before the Dark Times. Before the Empire...

Actually, if you went with a small rebel cell, you could call the show 'Star Wars: Dark Times'

Now that is a Good idea. Mind if I steal the title for my fanfic?

Mark S · Post by **Mark S** » 2004-09-11 01:24pm

Crazedwraith wrote:
Mark S wrote:...Before the Dark Times. Before the Empire...

Actually, if you went with a small rebel cell, you could call the show 'Star Wars: Dark Times'
Now that is a Good idea. Mind if I steal the title for my fanfic?

Go ahead. Knock yourself out.

...

I'm still waiting for you to knock yourself out. *Foot taps*

nasor · Post by **nasor** » 2004-09-11 07:03pm

I would love to see some sort of ‘twilight zone’ style show that featured a totally new story and set of characters in each episode. You could have one episode be about something interesting happening to a squad of storm troopers, then next week something about a spice smugger, and so on. It would keep things fresh, be a great opportunity for the writers to feature different interesting sides of the SW universe, and would allow the writers to indiscriminately kill off characters if they felt it was necessary. It would also allow them to jump around to different time periods.

Or maybe they could do a buddy cop show about the antics of two Jedi partners; one would be a conservative neat freak from an upper-class background and the other could be a liberal slob from a hick background.

Thanas · Post by **Thanas** » 2004-09-12 10:41am

I hope they will not do any adaptation of any comic book or novel.

Why? To me, it kinda ruins the fantasy. When I read a book, I imagine how this scene or that character would look like.

It's the same problem with the comic adaptations of novels - for example the Thrawn Trilogy. I though they were dreadful.

(Although Jeremy Irons as Thrawn would be quite cool).

Then again, a TV adaptation of any novel or comic would be quite useless - people would know the end before the episode starts.

Sarevok · Post by **Sarevok** » 2004-09-12 11:02am

I would not object to a TV series if Lucas film or the producing company finds a decent plot and a good production team. Frankly after the Clone Wars cartoon I am skeptical. Clone wars was a good idea but was not done well. Bad animation, too short episodes were judy some of the problem.

Personaly I would like to see the idea for a computer game I eventualy plan to write turned into a show. It is called X-Wing : The Forgetton Battles. The story follows a group of ragtag Rebel fighter pilots in the dark times of the early Imperial era.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » 2004-09-12 05:27pm

Maybe this is why Braga is taking a step down from Trek, you guys are lucky if he's coming your way, with such talent at the helm you know you'll have a good series at least.

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2004-09-12 11:52pm

I'd like to see a show which focuses on an early Empire Imperial officer who leads Stormtroopers into combat, similar to the plot of the game Force Commander. After witnessing the destruction of Alderaan, he has a moral dilemma and joins the Rebellion instead of remaining in the Empire. He is now an older and more experienced officer, who makes a very valuable asset to the struggling Rebellion. He could sort of be like Crix Madine and lead elite commandos he trains.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-09-13 07:27pm

Solauren wrote: Jango/Boba Fett:
His life from Age 20 - Empire Strikes back
You could use some stuff from the books for episodes
or whatabout the life of Jango Fett pre-Kamino?

Don't forget Darth Maul!

Han and Chewie
There adventures pre-Yavin

I can see it now... The Young Han Solo Chronicles! (with great theme music and Harrison Ford in an eye-patch and hook)

The Jedi Academy
That could be interesting. Say shortly after Kyp Durron graduates until the time Jaina and Jacen join

That would be cool. It could be like "Animal House" only with Jedi.

The Rise of the Empire
Who wouldn't love watching the Empire fry Jedi every week?

Like "Highlander: The Series." I like it.

They could also do a "AniStarWars" (like Animatrix) series of animated shorts as a mini-series. Since Lucas is doing the Matrix-type hype machine for the prequels anyway it seems...

As far as game plots, lot of potential there. There's always the chance of "Star Wars Galaxies: The Series" which will basically be a lot like "Friends."