By Stefan Blitz |
As someone who saw the original Star Wars in 1977 as a six year old tyke, the franchise is one of the emotional and definitive touchstones of my childhood.
I was there for the countless theatrical re-releases of the trilogy. The debut of the Special Editions and my excitement level for the prequels dwindled fifteen minutes into a midnight screening of The Phantom Menace.
And that’s where my childhood ended.
I’ve still enjoyed the occasional foray into the franchise, but my emotional resonance was long gone.
The surprising announcement of the new trilogy took myself, and much of the world by surprise, but cautious. But now, just several months away from the release of Episode VII: The Forces Awakens, I’m more excited than ever about the return of my childhood.
Yesterday’s Comic-Con presentation reunited stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher onstage with director JJ Abrams, producer Kathleen Kennedy, writer Lawrence Kasdan, and cast members of the new series.
For myself, seeing the original stars reunited is a strangely emotional experience; like finding a fondly remembered piece of my childhood after two decades.
The panel also featured new cast members including Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Gwendoline Christie.
The presentation featured a new video, which was a brilliant move, showcasing the cast and crew demonstrating the emotional connection that Star Wars has culturally (including cast members Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Simon Pegg). It not only makes me want to see the film more than ever, but still reveals very little about the upcoming storyline.
December can’t come soon enough.
And from the folks at Flicks in The City, the entire panel:
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