So the script for Colin Trevorow's version of Episode 9 leaked. Do you prefer it over the film we got or no? What did you think of his ideas?
As for me, there are things I don't like about it (Poe sucks, Kylo's story is kinda aimless) but also things I like a lot (Finn leading stormtrooper revolution, it doesn't retcon everything in TLJ, etc), doy overall I'd take it over TRoS.
Here it is if you want to read it:
mega.nz/#!oyYB2ASJ!dK6dhZsRXTmIgZ39l9719Macz1TQCZQtlhSCz0EdmOI
Okay. I’ve only read halfway through it. I’ll get to reading the second half within the next few days.
My thoughts on it so far...
** It’s more grounded in the saga - in the gravitas of the saga as opposed to the nostalgia of it.
** It’s better written.
** Rose has a better role in this. Better than TROS or TLJ.
** Rose, Poe, and Finn work well together. And they make a good support team to Rey.
** Hux is also better written than TROS. He might be even better than his characterization in TFA. (But hard to say since this never made it onscreen). But it would’ve come off as jarring since he was mostly a thick-headed stooge in TLJ. Over the course of the trilogy he would seem like a character with split personality disorder.
** Disney, Kay Kay, and TPTB would’ve never let Rey walk around in that darkly colored battle gear. She has to stay true to her warrior princess origins, which means something very similar to her original Jakku attire. (And that’s exactly what they did in TROS).
** They actually tried to use a characterization plot point with Finn that makes since for a rogue stormtrooper with his background. He was emotionally shaken by encountering a former trooper mate who dies at his ankles. That would’ve been refreshing as opposed to him being forced into some formulaic archetype (as he often was) that doesn’t fit his background.
** They were CLEARLY hinting a romantic vibe between Poe and Rey. And no, I don’t think Leia’s comment addressing it would’ve set off a gigantic firestorm. (Sure, a few fans would’ve taken it up). But when you look at the context, it’s not even a gender dig. “Written by who? Some old man a thousand years ago?” It’s just a cynical but lighthearted comment meant to dismiss a strict adherence to the rule and give Rey her blessing on the matter. Context is everything.
** Kylo throwing away Vader’s mask? No. It’s not comparable to Luke flipping his lightsaber over his shoulder. Not even close.
Again, context is everything. There’s a purpose for Kylo doing that here. He is embracing a new mask and a new disposition. It’s similar to when he busted up his first mask because Snoke mocked him. The was a clear narrative reason for it and it fit his character. On the other hand, Luke tossing his lightsaber - when there was a 2 year buildup that the end of TFA implied was a pivotal moment to Luke re-emerging as a central figure to the destiny of the Force. Add to that, there was nothing about his character familiar to his previous personna. Add to that, it was one of the most inappropriate attempts at comic effect in cinematic history...
** Palpatine was not central to the plot. But his cameo ties into the plot well. And it used a narrative of ROTJ in a way that makes everything feel more connected in the overall saga.
** This would’ve been difficult to pull off as far as Leia’s role with the death of Carrie Fisher. I think they would’ve had to do something like they did with Tarkin in RO. Or give some of her role to a different character - perhaps a new sidekick.
** Fisher’s daughter had a better role in this.
** Luke is better, fully developed character in this as a Force ghost mentor. And it’s probably one of the reasons why it was rejected. They didn’t want Rey to be “mastered” by a male character. They were trying to set things up that Leia would be Rey’s master or she would have no master at all. Even Abrams hinted at that point, when talking about Leia being Rey’s master in TROS he commented “that was the plan all along”. (Read into that what you will).
** BB8 in disguise with a different paint job... Rey in disguise as a Tusken Raider... I think both would’ve played well in the story.
** The Knights of Ren seem more ruthless in this story.
** There doesn’t seem to be as much planet hopping chases. Would that have hurt the pacing and action? Not necessarily. But again, hard to tell since this never made it onscreen.