Anghus Houvouras with three reasons why Adam Driver is good for Star Wars: Episode VII….
Like a lot of you, I was a much bigger Star Wars fan before the prequels. George Lucas’ ugly, garish, and wooden trips to a galaxy far, far away took a lot of luster off the lightsaber. Since the Disney purchase of Lucasfilm and the announcement of Episode VII, I’ve found myself pretty uninspired. Uninspired by the announcement, uninspired by the baseless rumors, uninspired by fan service favorite J.J. Abrams being chosen as the director. Everything felt so preordained. Nothing felt inspired.
Then yesterday it was announced that Adam Driver is in line to play the villain in the.new installment. For the first time, I felt a hint of inspiration.
First I had to make sure the story didn’t originate from Latino-Review. Once I was sure it wasn’t a complete fabrication, I felt inspired. Here’s why Adam Driver is good for the future of the Star Wars franchise…
1. He’s not Hollywood
Adam Driver is a extremely interesting choice. A talented actor who has made a name for himself in projects far removed from the big budget landscape of major studio filmmaking. No doubt Mr. Driver’s IMDB rank is skyrocketing right now. Most people know him from the critically lauded HBO series Girls where he navigates deftly between comedy and drama. He’s also delivered turns in great indie fare like Inside Llewyn Davis. This isn’t Hayden Christensen. This isn’t some pretty boy who looks like a back of the catalog Abercrombie model. This is a guy who has the chops to pull it off.
2. He’s an unknown quantity
This is an actor who is a proven talent but hasn’t had a defining role. It means that Abrams is looking for talent who can bring a sense of mystery to a franchise that has felt by-the-numbers since installments one, two, and three were released. With Driver as the villain, there’s some mystery to how it will be portrayed. It would be a major win for Abrams if he can create a sense of discovery in a franchise pushing 40. Then again, it’ll make a billion either way. Creatively, it could be the foundation for a lot of quality casting. Say what you will about Abrams’ Star Trek films, the casting was spot on.
3. Because we need to hear about the new blood
If there’s any hope that the new Star Wars films would be anything other than a cash grab, the first casting choices should be out of left field. Episode VII will no doubt have its fair share of references and fan service, but if you want to get those jaded Star Wars fans who were winded by the prequels, we need to find out about the new characters being played by new actors. I’m of the camp that the series should immediately shed as many connections to the Original Trilogy as possible. I know… I know… I’m a dreamer. But for me, this is a fresh start. To take the inspirations of what came before and expand the Star Wars universe into previously uncharted territory. I know that no doubt Disney will mandate that we roll out the old bones cast members like Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill. To me, that’s the least interesting part of a new Star Wars movies. I want new characters and new actors playing them. That’s the only way they’re going to win me back, which i have no doubt is their top priority.
This is the first piece of Star Wars: Episode VII news that has caused any kind of positive reaction. I think Driver is a great choice. How about you?
Anghus Houvouras is a North Carolina based writer and filmmaker. His latest work, the novel My Career Suicide Note, is available from Amazon.
Originally published February 27, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
