News broke last week on Collider.com that the showrunners of popular HBO series Game of Thrones will be writing and directing a brand new Star Wars trilogy, presumable after Episode 9.
On the surface, it’s sort of like, cool, these guys have some Emmy’s under their belts and have made a fantasy series into a household name and visually, Game of Thrones is gorgeous to look at, from costume design to sets to character minutiae. It’s been wildly successful, so why not be joyous these dudes are gonna have a go at one of the richest universes in sci-fi?
That’s where it gets complicated for me.
It’s not a secret I love A Song of Ice and Fire and its television counterpart Game of Thrones (as evidenced by our Youtube series A Game of Theories). However, I can love something and criticize it at the same time, much like I already do with Star Wars. The handing over of a trilogy to Benioff and Weiss means it’ll be that much longer before a director of color or a female director gets a shot at expanding the universe. While it might not matter to some, for me, and other people of color like me, it feels like a missed opportunity at the least.
“But they have a fantastic resume!”
Do they, though? Benioff wrote X-Men: Origins in 2009 (which most of were very lukewarm towards), and Weiss hasn’t done much in the way of big budget films.
My point is, something like Star Wars in the hands of someone with a different lens on life would be refreshing. Plus, a successful trilogy does wonders for the resume of someone who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to helm them. I’m not suggesting anyone in particular here, but it’s something I would love to see, sooner rather than later.
My main issue is how they have portrayed women.
Game of Thrones is known for pushing the envelope. Mostly in a negative way regarding female characters. In a series where rape and incest is prevalent, it makes zero sense to add MORE. A strong character does not need a traumatic backstory based in assault of some kind. I understand that seems to be a mindblowing concept, but I’m loathe to embrace a Star Wars universe in where this could be allowed. I have some trust in how iron of a grip Kathleen Kennedy has on the property as a whole, but her endorsement of Benioff and Weiss gives me some pause. No, I don’t think we will see rape onscreen, but based on their track record, it’s safe to say we will get a Disney friendly, Whedonesque rapey backstory for whoever the female character may be.
“But Leia, there’s not any mention of rape in Star Wars!”
Maybe not outright, but I guess Oola the slave girl, just danced and didn’t encounter any sexual assault ever. I guess Leia didn’t encounter any sexual assault while she was Jabba’s prisoner. I guess Rey didn’t encounter anything against her will by Kylo.
Look, I’m always a diehard for Star Wars, but I’m hesitant about this development. I’m hesitant that we will get Confederate (their so far failed HBO series about what if the South had successfully seceded and slavery became legal and modernized, oh wait, that’s the prison system, isn’t it), but in space cause there ARE slaves in the Star Wars universe.
I’m just plain hesitant.
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We are too thrilled to finally share our first Game of Theories video, where we will discuss popular three fan theories from the A Song of Ice and Fire community. It has been a labor of love and we’re happy to start off this new project with an in-depth analysis of the future of the littlest lordling, Rickon Stark. Over the next several weeks we’ll be posting our first series on our youtube channel, while continuing up the Stark family tree with Bran this week. Be sure to subscribe to our channel to get updates as soon as new content is published!
Valar Morghulis!
Join in the conversation on Twitter @sub_cultured with the hashtag #GameOfTheories!
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Winter is coming and it’s blowing in from the direction of Cyanide Studio.
Cashing in once again on the popularity of George R. R. Martin’s world of Westeros, Cyanide and Atlus present the first trailers for the Game Of Thrones RPG, which is slated for an early 2012 release.
In development since 2009, the game will feature two brand new, playable characters who are hinted at by George R. R. Martin to be included in later books, which gives credibility to the theory that he just makes shit up as he goes along.
The bulk of the story will follow Sworn Brother of the Night’s Watch, Mors Westflord, or Red Priest of R’hllor, Alester Sarwyck, on a journey everywhere from the Wall to King’s Landing. Just as the novels switch back and forth to different character POV’s, players will be able to alternate between the two original characters and put their vastly different store of abilities to use, from Westflord’s skinchanging to Sarwyck’s fire based magic. Players will also encounter a few familiar faces on their way, such as the Old Bear Commander Mormont, Varys the Spider, and Queen Cersei, before the events that kick off Game Of Thrones.
I’m not sure what the editor was thinking when it comes to visuals and cutting this new trailer. Cut to Mors running! Now cut to Alester running! Now fade back to Mors… he should run! Perhaps the third trailer will show more gameplay? That would be a little helpful. The graphics seem like they can’t find a happy medium though then game was developed using Unreal Engine 3. However, with this kind of game, I’ll take story over graphics any day. But when your target audience is balls deep in Skyrim, you’d assume they would pull out all the stops for the first sneak peek at another much anticipated medieval RPG, since people will obviously make comparisons.
The official website has a teensey bit more information, such as interactive character descriptions and photos, but will only unlock certain areas of the site depending on the number of “Likes” their Facebook page receives. I was hoping for a create a character and to cross the Narrow Sea and become a Dothraki Khaleesi, but hey, the game can’t please everyone. Either way, the game will be worth playing if only to glean a little more insight into Martin’s world. Check out the trailer below and let us know your thoughts!
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