TV Shows That Will Never Be - Star Wars: The TV Series
I periodically find myself plotting a TV series version of the Star Wars movies. I know, y'all think I'm insane for sharing such an original concept that nobody has never ever thought of before ;)
I find myself thinking long and hard about what to keep, what to drop, back stories of the characters, what to expand on so the climatic scenes (season finales) maximize the emotional and wow impact, etc. The more I develop it, the more I see the potential of all six seasons doing for the TV medium what the original did for movies.
Each movie Episode is a TV season. Each season is 13 episodes long. Why 13 episodes? Glad you asked, because there is a logic behind that number. The answer: That's the way they do series seasons in the UK. Just kidding :) Feel 13 installments per season is enough to really get to know all the characters, yet short enough for the story to stay focused, and not have any "filler" episodes. One of the points is a more in depth exploration of the Star Wars universe, not to have a "System of the Week" show.
The first season will present the hardest hurdle. Season 1 is The Phantom Menace.
The Phantom Menace was the worst of the Star Wars films when it came to supporting roles. Figured out awhile ago that my biggest complaint, biggest element missing, was people were just there. No real purpose other than getting the scene from point A to point B. Seriously lacking a back story and any real motivation. However, w/ the extra time of a TV series, we get the opportunity to get to know them better. Characters like Captain Panaka & Shmi will be explored, and have a solid back story.
Actually Shmi is one of the major changes I'm making to the overall story. Before she was sold into slavery, she was a Jedi Padiwan, and admits it to Qui-Gon when they talk on the balcony. As a young Padiwan, her and her master were ambushed and she was kidnapped & sold into slavery. Hence Anakin has some very basic Jedi training.
Anakin himself is 14, a year or two younger than Padme. Much more believable age when Yoda says he's too old. Not to mention the relationship/attraction between him and Padme won't be so weird.
We'll spend more time w/ Darth Maul. Delve into his back story. Find out what makes him tick, see first hand the pressures he is under being a subordinate to Darth Sidious, & the measures he'll take to succeed at his mission. Actually the season cliffhanger is his top half being stolen, and Darth Sidious overseeing the beginnings of Maul's transformation into General Grievous (another character just there). This twist is a great precursor to Darth Vader.
Actually all the villians will be darker, more dangerous. I have this vision where Padme & Anakin are hiding from a bunch of wheel droids, which comes very close to their hiding spot, and you can see it up close. I want the lack of emotion & life to be scary, like Terminator scary.
And then there's Jar Jar. Oh the TV Jar Jar will be very different than the bumbling oaf in the movies. Instead of just being dumb, TV Jar Jar will be dumb like a fox. His curiosity and impulsive nature will land him into trouble, but very clever about getting himself out of a fix, usually w/ whatever he was after in the first place. Another major change to the character is TV Jar Jar won't speak English.
Each season will be an extended version of the movies, and explore more of the Star Wars universe (which is a wild & untamed place), as well as introduce other forces (pun intended) into the mix. The series will also be made w/ DVDs in mind, intended to watch back to back and over and over. Not to mention Star Wars: the TV Series will provide a unique & fun escape every week.
I find myself thinking long and hard about what to keep, what to drop, back stories of the characters, what to expand on so the climatic scenes (season finales) maximize the emotional and wow impact, etc. The more I develop it, the more I see the potential of all six seasons doing for the TV medium what the original did for movies.
Each movie Episode is a TV season. Each season is 13 episodes long. Why 13 episodes? Glad you asked, because there is a logic behind that number. The answer: That's the way they do series seasons in the UK. Just kidding :) Feel 13 installments per season is enough to really get to know all the characters, yet short enough for the story to stay focused, and not have any "filler" episodes. One of the points is a more in depth exploration of the Star Wars universe, not to have a "System of the Week" show.
The first season will present the hardest hurdle. Season 1 is The Phantom Menace.
The Phantom Menace was the worst of the Star Wars films when it came to supporting roles. Figured out awhile ago that my biggest complaint, biggest element missing, was people were just there. No real purpose other than getting the scene from point A to point B. Seriously lacking a back story and any real motivation. However, w/ the extra time of a TV series, we get the opportunity to get to know them better. Characters like Captain Panaka & Shmi will be explored, and have a solid back story.
Actually Shmi is one of the major changes I'm making to the overall story. Before she was sold into slavery, she was a Jedi Padiwan, and admits it to Qui-Gon when they talk on the balcony. As a young Padiwan, her and her master were ambushed and she was kidnapped & sold into slavery. Hence Anakin has some very basic Jedi training.
Anakin himself is 14, a year or two younger than Padme. Much more believable age when Yoda says he's too old. Not to mention the relationship/attraction between him and Padme won't be so weird.
We'll spend more time w/ Darth Maul. Delve into his back story. Find out what makes him tick, see first hand the pressures he is under being a subordinate to Darth Sidious, & the measures he'll take to succeed at his mission. Actually the season cliffhanger is his top half being stolen, and Darth Sidious overseeing the beginnings of Maul's transformation into General Grievous (another character just there). This twist is a great precursor to Darth Vader.
Actually all the villians will be darker, more dangerous. I have this vision where Padme & Anakin are hiding from a bunch of wheel droids, which comes very close to their hiding spot, and you can see it up close. I want the lack of emotion & life to be scary, like Terminator scary.
And then there's Jar Jar. Oh the TV Jar Jar will be very different than the bumbling oaf in the movies. Instead of just being dumb, TV Jar Jar will be dumb like a fox. His curiosity and impulsive nature will land him into trouble, but very clever about getting himself out of a fix, usually w/ whatever he was after in the first place. Another major change to the character is TV Jar Jar won't speak English.
Each season will be an extended version of the movies, and explore more of the Star Wars universe (which is a wild & untamed place), as well as introduce other forces (pun intended) into the mix. The series will also be made w/ DVDs in mind, intended to watch back to back and over and over. Not to mention Star Wars: the TV Series will provide a unique & fun escape every week.