Okay, everybody got those “Star Trek” vs. “Star Wars” and lens flare jokes out of their system yesterday. We still don’t have any idea what to expect when “Alias” and “Lost” creator and “Star Trek” reboot director J.J. Abrams makes “Star Wars Episode VII” for 2015 release.
But we can throw out a few things we would like to see and don’t want.
No repeats of the mistakes from the prequel trilogy. With the Great Beard of the Galaxy, George Lucas, out of the way, we can say goodbye (lord, please) to Gungans, trade routes, tax protests, clunky dialogue, wooden acting, awful child actors and movies that were “ooh pretty” but frustrating for all their faults.
The Return of the Jedi. Mark Hamill is still around. He’s expressed an interest in appearing in the movie, as has his on-screen sis, Carrie Fisher. It would be totally appropriate to introduce new, younger characters. But if Hamill can pull it off, it would be great to see him in Alec Guinness-style elder Jedi action. Having said that …
A strong female protagonist. Abrams gave us a kick-ass female hero in “Alias.” Not so much in “Lost,” which started out strong with the Kate character but kind of petered out. But Abrams, like Joss Whedon, can give us a woman to root for if anyone can.
A mix of the personal and the galaxy-spanning. No movie did this better than “The Empire Strikes Back.” I’m sure Abrams, a fan, has seen “Empire” many times. He and screenwriter Michael Arndt surely will take some cues from it.
Great music. John Williams’ original score is timeless. What we wouldn’t give for that lightning to strike again.
And the impossible. Something for everyone, “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” fans, young and old, geeks and nerds, dogs and cats living together, to enjoy.


