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Multimedia => Star Wars Universe => Topic started by: Brian on October 29, 2008, 12:43 PM

Title: Is There a "Modern Day" Star Wars?
Post by: Brian on October 29, 2008, 12:43 PM
It may not even be possible in today's age of multiple movies each week, and up to a dozen "blockbusters" each summer - but do you think there is an equivalent to the Original Star Wars Trilogy in today's group of movies?  A series of movies that really captures not only kids, but adults as well, and becomes somewhat of a phenomenon in the culture in general.  The characters become household names, everyone is at least aware of the movies if not seen at least one or more.  Like I said, its a totally different world than it was in the 70s/80s when Star Wars, Empire, and Jedi were released - and they have changed the movie world so that we see these special effects bonanzas every summer month (Iron Man, Indy, Narnia, Hulk, Hancock, Dark Knight, etc. this summer alone).

I guess the franchises that come to mind for me that might fit this would be Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, any one of the superhero franchises (probably Spidey, X-Men, and Batman in particular right now), or maybe even Pirates of the Caribbean.  For some reason, the superhero/comic movies seem like a little bit of a different bird to me from the sci fi/fantasy realm of Star Wars, but I can see the similarities as well.  Also, maybe the actual modern Star Wars movies - the prequels - are today's Original Trilogy.  Although they certainly don't seem to be as popular overall as the OT, there is a lot of neat stuff to take out of there as well (ROTS in particular), and I really think I'd still be way into them if I was a kid growing up with this trilogy.  Other than that, I think I'd lean most towards Harry Potter - simply because they appeal to a very broad audience, they are counted on to be box office monsters, and they seem to have a really large anticipation towards each new chapter.  Again, not necessarily a "game changer" the way the original Star Wars was in '77, but maybe the most of a cultural phenomenon.  Lord of the Rings is way up there as well, and one of my all time favorites, but maybe not quite as popular with really young children (although you could make that argument with HP with each new movie/book as well).  Anyways, just something I was thinking about, and I was wondering what some of you thought.
Title: Re: Is There a "Modern Day" Star Wars?
Post by: Keonobi on October 29, 2008, 01:07 PM
I think in terms of overall societal impact Harry Potter has to top the list.  Between, what will be nearly an entire generation who read most/all of the books, and there will be I think 7 films total, right?  So my vote is the Harry Potter will have the biggest impact of the current crop of movies, however, I think it doesn't come anywhere close to Star Wars.  I highly doubt that in 30+ years there were be dozens of websites w/ hundreds of members each collecting Harry Potter toys, and that's just one example.  I think Star Wars is a truly unique phenomenom in that sense.
Title: Re: Is There a "Modern Day" Star Wars?
Post by: Matt_Fury on October 29, 2008, 04:52 PM
I think Harry Potter is probably at the top of the list..although Lord of the Rings is right up there...especially with them making The Hobbit into two movies.  I'd say the new Batman franchise could be up there...but not really sure I'd bring young kids to see it (the same could be said of ROTS though).

Transformers and the way Marvel's going with building several movies towards the Avengers might be able to fit the bill as well.
Title: Re: Is There a "Modern Day" Star Wars?
Post by: Brian on November 10, 2008, 04:13 PM
I think in terms of overall societal impact Harry Potter has to top the list.  Between, what will be nearly an entire generation who read most/all of the books, and there will be I think 7 films total, right?  So my vote is the Harry Potter will have the biggest impact of the current crop of movies, however, I think it doesn't come anywhere close to Star Wars.  I highly doubt that in 30+ years there were be dozens of websites w/ hundreds of members each collecting Harry Potter toys, and that's just one example.  I think Star Wars is a truly unique phenomenom in that sense.

Yeah, I don't think we'll ever see a phenomenon quite like the Original Star Wars - it really was more than just a cultural milestone, it has become something that has lasted and maintained popularity much longer than anything else (aside from long-running comic book characters).

I think, from the small sampling that has replied here so far, that we mainly look at the same sources for a "modern day" Star Wars - Harry Potter, LOTR, and possibly superhero franchises.  It doesn't seem like any of us consider the PT at the top of that list right now either.  One thing you mentioned in your post Keonobi is the merchandising (particularly when referring to Harry Potter).  That is something that has always surprised me that there wasn't a big toyline/push (and popular one at that) for the Potter movies.  If done well, they could continue it for 10 years or more, with 7 (now 8 with the two parter) movies to draw from.  I guess a lot of it may have to do with kids just not being "in to" toys as long these days, or even at all.  Its funny, we're already seeing our nephews have less interest in toys for Christmas (at ages 6 and 8), and asking for nothing but video games essentially.  I guess "toys" lasted longer than that when my friends and I were growing up, unless we weren't the "norm".