[Boy Blunder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

still could be one awesome battle where he uses the saber, or he may pick up the saber at the end of the movie from someone else, look at episode 4 (the first movie), Luke doesn't get much saber action at all, he turns it on in Obi Wan's living room, then plays with it in the Falcon, and never fights with it, but Luke with a light saber was burned into everyone's memory, and pronate in a lot of the promo art and posters. Hell it could for all we know, be the only "cool" weapon Finn uses. I just don't think one character being packed with a particular accessory is "spoiler" worthy or should be read into too much. next week when we've all seen the movie I'm sure it'll make sense. I'm just glad Lucas isn't on board, I'd hate Kylo or Phasm to take there helmets off to reveal JarJar.

Honestly, you're grasping at straws to say that the lightsaber isn't going to be important to Finn outside of one scene.

For one, the image of Finn with a lightsaber is being used in numerous pieces of promotional material, including the trailer and the movie posters. Two, even if Luke's lightsaber-use in ANH was minimal, the lightsaber itself and his possession of it were an important piece of the plot (both of the film and of the trilogy), and a major factor in Luke's personal story (again, both in ANH and in the trilogy overall).

You're right in that it's too early to tell for certain what role the lightsaber will play in Finn and Rey's parts, but the fact of the matter is:

- Finn with the lightsaber is being promoted pretty heavily, which denotes some importance to his role/story/scenes, and
- The inclusion of a lightsaber with Rey is noteworthy and, in a technical way, a spoiler, since the very fact that it's being included with her denotes importance to at least one of her scenes. Which isn't really something you could say about, say, Han wielding the saber in ESB (seriously, if Han didn't also have a vibro-knife or whatever in one of those pouches on his snow gear, then he's a grade-A dingbat, and we all know he's not).

[Trivial Psychic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmacq1

Yeah, he is. I'll gladly eat crow on the 18th if I'm wrong. But I'm not. I think he'll come out on the losing side of his confrontation with Kylo Ren, but it won't be fatal.

SPECULATION/RUMOR-INDUCED SPOILER POSSIBILITY:

Especially since it's all but a given a FAR more prominent character is likely being offed in this installment.

END POSSIBLE SPOILER

Boyega and Ridley (and Driver and Isaac to a lesser extent) have been trumpeted as "the" new faces of Star Wars. That's not something that happened with Maul, Jango, or even Qui-Gon. Heavily marketed? Sure. But never really touted as "the future of the franchise." Certainly not the way MacGregor, Portman, and Christensen were with the prequels.

I don't normally read into media fluff pieces, especially when they spout off about the "future of the franchise" and all that nonsense, because it's really not all that different from the marketing side of the promotion beast. Most media outlets have a job to do when it comes to marketing and promotion, and it's to sell magazines and newspapers while having the next big scoop or photo shoot. How many actors and actresses have been labeled "the future of a franchise" only to be dumped unceremoniously by their studio before the next film due to negative reviews or underachieving box office? (The recent Fantastic 4 film comes to mind.)

The point I was trying to make was that that before Episode 1 (and to a lesser degree, Episode 2) debuted, certain characters were plastered all over anything they could get their hands on, only to have those characters not make it past the end credits (Qui-Gon/Maul) or to fade away from the prequel's central plot with barely a peep. (Jar Jar) Being the way these movies are marketed, Finn being plastered on posters and promotional material does not guarantee anything in the greater scheme of the story, or even that he survives the first film, but I like you will just have to wait until the film hits the theaters to find out for myself. =)

Which leads into my next thought...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmacq1

The point being, if you think "Star Wars Loyalists" would be outraged by that statement, just think for a second about the amount of internet-outrage that will be generated if "The Black Guy dies first" in what very likely will be the biggest/most highly visible film of the last ten years. If you think Disney isn't/wasn't aware of that potential reaction when the film was being written and made sure to avoid it (not that it was ever likely much of a possibility), I have a bridge or three to sell you.

I'd like to believe that artistic integrity would win the day, and that a character survives the film's plotline simply because they are supposed to, and not because it will ruffle a few people's feathers with agendas if they don't because of the character's skin color. However, with this new era of "trying to please everyone" and political correctness, it's hard to believe in anything but. Just yesterday, I was reading a story about how Captain Phasma was originally written as a male character, and was shoehorned into becoming a female character after people were nitpicking the cast of SW:TFA not having enough women roles. (For me, I really don't care if it's a man, female, or alien under the chrome armor.) I couldn't help but shake my head when I read that.

I realize we live in a different time and era than when most of the great classics were written or filmed, but agendas in this country have seriously run amok, and when it starts to interfere with an artist's vision (however broad or narrow it is...) it really starts to become borderline ridiculous. (on a tangent, the amount of flak that Joss Whedon took with Age of Ultron over the whole "damsel in distress" plot line left my jaw hanging.) Movie studios, directors, producers, and writers need to grow a pair, and stop worry about pissing off anyone off, because in the end, it's their work, and they need to realize that you cannot please everyone. There will always be some keyboard warrior who wants to air their grievances over everyone else's voice in the room.

That's enough semi-political ranting on my end...as I don't want to get away from why we are all here...toys. Back to our regularly scheduled thread...lol. Good discussion folks! =)

[BlackRazor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic

I don't normally read into media fluff pieces, especially when they spout off about the "future of the franchise" and all that nonsense, because it's really not all that different from the marketing side of the promotion beast. Most media outlets have a job to do when it comes to marketing and promotion, and it's to sell magazines and newspapers while having the next big scoop or photo shoot. How many actors and actresses have been labeled "the future of a franchise" only to be dumped unceremoniously by their studio before the next film due to negative reviews or underachieving box office? (The recent Fantastic 4 film comes to mind.)

The point I was trying to make was that that before Episode 1 (and to a lesser degree, Episode 2) debuted, certain characters were plastered all over anything they could get their hands on, only to have those characters not make it past the end credits (Qui-Gon/Maul) or to fade away from the prequel's central plot with barely a peep. (Jar Jar) Being the way these movies are marketed, Finn being plastered on posters and promotional material does not guarantee anything in the greater scheme of the story, or even that he survives the first film, but I like you will just have to wait until the film hits the theaters to find out for myself. =)

Which leads into my next thought...



I'd like to believe that artistic integrity would win the day, and that a character survives the film's plotline simply because they are supposed to, and not because it will ruffle a few people's feathers with agendas if they don't because of the character's skin color. However, with this new era of "trying to please everyone" and political correctness, it's hard to believe in anything but. Just yesterday, I was reading a story about how Captain Phasma was originally written as a male character, and was shoehorned into becoming a female character after people were nitpicking the cast of SW:TFA not having enough women roles. (For me, I really don't care if it's a man, female, or alien under the chrome armor.) I couldn't help but shake my head when I read that.

I realize we live in a different time and era than when most of the great classics were written or filmed, but agendas in this country have seriously run amok, and when it starts to interfere with an artist's vision (however broad or narrow it is...) it really starts to become borderline ridiculous. (on a tangent, the amount of flak that Joss Whedon took with Age of Ultron over the whole "damsel in distress" plot line left my jaw hanging.) Movie studios, directors, producers, and writers need to grow a pair, and stop worry about pissing off anyone off, because in the end, it's their work, and they need to realize that you cannot please everyone. There will always be some keyboard warrior who wants to air their grievances over everyone else's voice in the room.

That's enough semi-political ranting on my end...as I don't want to get away from why we are all here...toys. Back to our regularly scheduled thread...lol. Good discussion folks! =)

Good point TP - I missed hearing about that controversy but I wonder how PC folks think that's far fetched?

[Kamatayan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

show me a screen shot of the take down order or I doubt this is real. how many thousands of pics of "unreleased" figures have we seen here and I've never heard of anything like this.

Yup, I really don't think there would be all of this fuss about lawsuits now. There were so many mess ups with store employees that resulted in people getting the Force Awakens figures weeks earlier if I recall.

Btw kylactus dropped you a PM.

[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

wouldn't it be nice if the story influenced the progression of events, instead of peoples own ignorant assertions of race and militant political correctness? That said, why's everyone assuming from a couple seconds of trailers that Finn is the main holder of the saber in the first place? Han Solo used Luke's saber ESB, but he's no Jedi, trailers are often purposely cut to deceive you. He may just happen to have it for one battle, in the trailer scene with him about to fight the riot control trooper he doesn't look super confidant in his swordsmanship. I'd even bet that's the first time he turns a saber on, he looks shocked when it extends.

Moviemaking is a business first and foremost, particularly when dealing with a multi-billion dollar franchise like Star Wars. The only reason these movies get made now is to make money for their studios. What's ignorant is believing that the Disney Corporation doesn't consider things like potential reactions when making decisions regarding the most valuable franchise they now own.

If these movies go over as bad or worse than the prequels, for whatever reason, then Disney's stock ends up taking a MASSIVE hit for the two and a half billion dollars they wasted buying the franchise, and heads will roll at the executive level.

But if it's any consolation, I'm quite sure that Finn's survival is based on how the story was written, and not because the scriptwriters WANTED to kill him and Disney said "no."

Oh, and we've already seen Finn wielding the saber in battle in two difference scenarios/environments in the previews. So that kills the "happens to pick it up for one battle" theory. There's also concept artwork that was revealed at the Star Wars Celebration that had him wearing it on his belt. I do agree he's likely all but completely untrained in its' use, but by near all indications he's the primary wielder of the weapon in the film (though obviously, not the only one).

[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic

I don't normally read into media fluff pieces, especially when they spout off about the "future of the franchise" and all that nonsense, because it's really not all that different from the marketing side of the promotion beast. Most media outlets have a job to do when it comes to marketing and promotion, and it's to sell magazines and newspapers while having the next big scoop or photo shoot. How many actors and actresses have been labeled "the future of a franchise" only to be dumped unceremoniously by their studio before the next film due to negative reviews or underachieving box office? (The recent Fantastic 4 film comes to mind.)

The point I was trying to make was that that before Episode 1 (and to a lesser degree, Episode 2) debuted, certain characters were plastered all over anything they could get their hands on, only to have those characters not make it past the end credits (Qui-Gon/Maul) or to fade away from the prequel's central plot with barely a peep. (Jar Jar) Being the way these movies are marketed, Finn being plastered on posters and promotional material does not guarantee anything in the greater scheme of the story, or even that he survives the first film, but I like you will just have to wait until the film hits the theaters to find out for myself. =)

Which leads into my next thought...



I'd like to believe that artistic integrity would win the day, and that a character survives the film's plotline simply because they are supposed to, and not because it will ruffle a few people's feathers with agendas if they don't because of the character's skin color. However, with this new era of "trying to please everyone" and political correctness, it's hard to believe in anything but. Just yesterday, I was reading a story about how Captain Phasma was originally written as a male character, and was shoehorned into becoming a female character after people were nitpicking the cast of SW:TFA not having enough women roles. (For me, I really don't care if it's a man, female, or alien under the chrome armor.) I couldn't help but shake my head when I read that.

I realize we live in a different time and era than when most of the great classics were written or filmed, but agendas in this country have seriously run amok, and when it starts to interfere with an artist's vision (however broad or narrow it is...) it really starts to become borderline ridiculous. (on a tangent, the amount of flak that Joss Whedon took with Age of Ultron over the whole "damsel in distress" plot line left my jaw hanging.) Movie studios, directors, producers, and writers need to grow a pair, and stop worry about pissing off anyone off, because in the end, it's their work, and they need to realize that you cannot please everyone. There will always be some keyboard warrior who wants to air their grievances over everyone else's voice in the room.

That's enough semi-political ranting on my end...as I don't want to get away from why we are all here...toys. Back to our regularly scheduled thread...lol. Good discussion folks! =)

As I said. Movies are a business. Directors that "stop caring what the audience thinks" risk killing that business. Artistic Integrity is all well and good and a noble ideal, but a Director that doesn't take marketing and audience reaction into account when making his film can enjoy his unimpeached artistic integrity in the unemployment line. After they've made a couple blockbuster hits they can take their money and make a few films for themselves.

Of course, if you want a fine example of pure artistic integrity, look no further than the Prequels and the Special Editions: The Artist's "perfected" vision, up there for all of us to see. And he has so much integrity that he refused to release the unaltered versions.

Anyway, the lawsuit thing is hilarious and awful all at the same time. Apparently it wasn't supposed to be out until the 18th. Wonder if there are any other spoileriffic figures in the wave?

[Brownfinger]

They can't both wield their own blue lightsabers? He wields one, given that she's probably related to one person or another who is strong with the Force, it was fairly evident that she would pick one up anyway. Let the story take it there, it sounds like fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic

I'd like to believe that artistic integrity would win the day, and that a character survives the film's plotline simply because they are supposed to, and not because it will ruffle a few people's feathers with agendas if they don't because of the character's skin color. However, with this new era of "trying to please everyone" and political correctness, it's hard to believe in anything but. Just yesterday, I was reading a story about how Captain Phasma was originally written as a male character, and was shoehorned into becoming a female character after people were nitpicking the cast of SW:TFA not having enough women roles. (For me, I really don't care if it's a man, female, or alien under the chrome armor.) I couldn't help but shake my head when I read that.

This is very well said, and I find myself agreeing with all of it. The angst leveled at Whedon especially was head scratching, being the champion of womens' rights that he is. I never thought lamenting her sterility made Widow a weaker character, I thought it gave her something for people to connect to. Motherhood is an almost supernatural force, and I thought the scene was moving.
We don't live in a time where a fictional character can be judged or killed off based on their own merits or failings. Real, actual people aren't evaluated in totality through their own qualifications. Still! It's nearly 2016 and we're not even close to that. The backlash if Finn died would be raucous, despite Abrams himself noting that the Star Wars franchise was too damn white. I don't know the character, but the actor seems like a funny and charismatic dude, so it would certainly suck to lose him. This is the gargantuan double-edged sword that is social media - people cluster together and are zealous to find something that makes them angry. There is no immediate solution to any of this because there is no method of making people less stupid.

I don't want the angst of misguided people shaping artistic endeavors. It doesn't matter how much good will Abrams has earned through his numerous success, because he still can't get others to view these characters through the same neutral prism. And that's why he has to be cautious. It's unfortunate.

[Harbinger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

show me a screen shot of the take down order or I doubt this is real. how many thousands of pics of "unreleased" figures have we seen here and I've never heard of anything like this. That said if you told me Disney sent the order I'd believe it... they're run by Satin's boss, the dark mouse.

Oprah?

[Kernel]

Stayed home from work today and at the barbershop they were watching Live with Kelly and Micheal (awful show lol) and they had the actor playing Finn, John boyegga and he was pretty funny. They asked him about the plot and he pretty much outlined it which surprised me.
As for all this political correctness talk, I think it's funny that "non PC" people seem to get more offended than "PC people" these days lol
As for the actual toy, I wish the 3.75" SW stuff was more articulated but I suppose that's a pipe dream these days.

[dukefett]

I'm very happy I avoided this post; although just the shot of Rey made me think about what it would be. I kinda thought lightsaber unless she was going to get a limb chopped off or something.

I'm one of the people who avoided almost everything they could, I don't want to deduce anything from the trailers. The teaser was the only thing I watched all the way through, I never intentionally watched the trailers and only saw images here and there of them when I couldn't avoid it. I pretty much saw Han and Chewie and I saw Finn light up the lightsaber.

[Kamatayan]

http://goo.gl/Z8XW5Q

DON'T CLICK THE LINK IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS! SPOILERS AHEAD!

I love me some scalper bullshit. $199.99

The description makes it even better.