If they just wrote an original story that had nothing to do with the events of the OT and the prequels, yet of course took place in the same universe?
I personally think that would have been a better decision, just let the Skywalker saga rest and move on to something else.
No, Luke Skywalker IS Star Wars.
shareWell apparently not because now Rey IS Star Wars.
shareI agree. The original trilogy was telling the story of Luke Skywalker. It did this masterfully, with only one or two missteps along the way.
The prequels were unnecessary and didn't work because they were backstory on characters from Luke's story - stories we didn't need told (it also hurts that these stories were told extremely poorly; there might have been something there, but it was certainly killed).
The sequels aren't working because they continue in Luke Skywalker's story, but without doing the character any service of careful development and thoughtful progression. He's a puppet now in some other fable (Hamill's famous "Jake Skywalker" comments ring so very true).
These weren't even originally called the Sywalker Saga...that bullshit happened something after the second film. They were never supposed to focus that much on the original cast. Which except for Han the really haven't. But I would have liked to see a peaceful opening with a new big threat coming into the Galaxy with this first film. What we got was basically the Empire never really died. Still didn't hate the film but would have liked something a bit more original. Which o think we will get after this whole made up SkyWalker Saga bullshit ..
shareIf the same characters were kept in an all new story, I think the movies just probably end up being worse, especially if the new cast were exactly the same. There is nothing remotely redeemable or interesting about the new characters. Ridley as Rey is supposed to be the character we are rooting for, and I just find myself not caring about her. The writing sucked with the new movies but the casting choices were even worse.
shareOh I freaking hate Rey, but if they are going to make a horrible Star Wars movie I felt it would have been less bad if it weren't connected to something that I loved growing up.
shareYeah I get it. I think criticism would have been worse but yeah obviously with hindsight, they were probably better off going for an all new story, considering how badly they mishandled the old OT characters.
shareThe casting wasn't great but the writing was far and away the bigger problem. Daisy Riddley in particular and to a lesser degree John Boyega came across as being victims of being young, inexperienced and not being directed particularly well. . Riddley's performance was very weak & flat which many people overlooked because Americans are easily impressed by "fancy" British accents.
The movie was absolute steaming pile of bad fanfiction garbage so a better director/writer could certainly have made a significantly improved film with the same cast.