Ryan Johnson's Star Wars Page

RYAN JOHNSON's

STAR WARS

PREQUEL RUMORS! a long time ago in a galaxy far far away there were 3 movies that were simply the best then, in 1997, george lucas decided to make a few more of them and that was when a Jedi Knight named Ryan Johnson decided to create his own web page devoted to rumors about Star Wars Episodes One, Two and Three! last updated: September 8, 1999

Rumors Archive

Script Leaks (Episodes I-II)

Photo Gallery

Ryan's Jedi Journals

LINK TO THE REBEL ALLIANCE! For any "official" Star Wars news, you can always visit The Official Star Wars Site. It's cool!!!!!!!

PREQUEL

UPDATES! SEPTEMBER 8, 1999:

It seems that the DVD rumors (see below) turned out to be baseless. Sorry about that, but it's easy to get one's hopes up. We probably won't be seeing Star Wars DVDs until after Episode II or (God help us) Episode III. However, a few people e-mailed me to challenge the notion that the "Special Editions" were works-in-progress.

The fact is: they were and ARE.

Lucasfilm promoted the theatrical release of the SE's as his "original vision," but in truth, he continued to tinker with them for the video release, and will further embellish them for their next release, on DVD. He has stated this publicly, and it is likely that he will continue to re-configure the films until he is completely satisfied. As the technology continues to grow and change, it will probably take a long time before that happens! In the meantime, all we can do is watch and wait...

I'm reluctant to report much on the EPISODE II front at this point. I've had a few juicy reports here and there, but nothing I want to divulge just yet. I got burned pretty bad in the early days of EPISODE I rumors, and I'm not going to repeat the same mistakes for this one.

This much I can say: don't listen to any rumors regarding US television actors to play Anakin. It ain't gonna happen. From what's been passed on to me, Lucasfilm is still in the very early stages of casting, and most of the people on the shortlist come from a film and/or legit theatre background. This means DiCaprio is still in the running, but don't bet on it!

JULY 20, 1999:

The next few months will be slow going in rumor-ville, since Lucas is holed up in California writing the story and script for EPISODE TWO. Even though it's a year away from going before the cameras, I feel like these next two movies are going to sneak up on us pretty quickly-- after all, the last wait was over 15 years!!!

In the meantime, some news regarding the original trilogy on DVD. Word is that the "Special Editions" of a few years ago were just "works-in-progress," and that there will be even more changes before the DVD editions are released. Foremost among the alterations will be the restoration of the "Greedo" scene, which Lucas butchered in order to establish that Greedo shoots first, and that Han only fires in retaliation. Lucas insists that this was the way it always was, but that in the orginal version it just "wasn't clear." Perhaps it wasn't clear because GREEDO NEVER FIRED A SHOT!!! Thankfully, the backlash has been so absolute that they have come to their senses and rescured a classic scene from revisionism-gone-wrong.

These DVDs will be released in time for Christmas 2000, loaded up with tons of extras, including the Biggs Darklighter scenes, and the Boba Fett cartoon from the dreadful Christmas special (the rest of which which will definitely NOT be included). I know it seems like a long way away, but we'll have the Phantom Menace on video long before then to tide us all over....

JULY 4, 1999:

Happy Independence Day!!!! What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with another screening of THE PHANTOM MENACE-- and a major new rumor about EPISODE TWO!!!

Here is one piece of information that was passed on to me by a source that is relatively new to me. IF IT IS TRUE, it is sure to be CONTROVERSIAL, and would add new meaning to the original trilogy.

(SPOILER!!!!! Highlight to read!)

In Episode Two, JAR JAR BINKS is manipulated by Senator Palpatine, and is turned to the Dark Side. He undergoes a transformation, and ends up taking sides among the Mandalorians, even assuming their battle armor and taking on a new identity... BOBA FETT.

Of course, Lucas is still mapping out the script for E2, so it's too soon to tell what will make it in and what won't. If this turns out to be true, there are going to be more than a few angry Star Wars fans...

Today, I'm going to be watching the Star Wars saga... BACKWARDS!!! That's right, starting with Return Of The Jedi, I'll be moving on to Empire and A New Hope, followed by a late night screening of The Phantom Menace. It should be fascinating to see the story in reverse order-- I can't wait until I can do it with the entire 6-film series in a few years...

Ryan

JUNE 18, 1999:

I just came home from yet another twilight viewing of TPM (in what is fast becoming an after-work ritual-- I will miss this movie when it's gone from theaters). I think I've seen it enough now to express an opinion which is untainted by the rush of early excitement, and the cynicism fostered by all the critics.

I love it. It's not as good as EMPIRE, equal with A NEW HOPE, and much better than JEDI. The acting, which has been criticized in many corners, is actually quite good overall. Some of it is shaky, but much of it is superb. The story is strong, and sets the stage for the next two films very well. Most importantly, the movie is FUN. I love it. My son loves it. My friends love it. And I have a feeling that it will only get better with time.

Now, on to more pressing matters:

EPISODE TWO
LEGEND OF THE SITH

No, that's not the official title. We won't know that for a while. But it IS one of the many rumored titles that are under consideration. But as Lucas begins work on the second film, the rumors are starting to fly, and our good friend Quadro has a full report on the situation so far:

Ryan: As the hot white blaze that is EPISODE ONE continues to burn, things are starting to heat up with regards to EPISODE TWO. Early titles include "Legend Of The Sith," "A New Apprentice" and (once again) "Balance Of The Force." Early rumours of Leo DiCaprio are just decoys-- there is no truth to them! Right now the big decision is between one or two promising unknowns and one very hot young television actor (and NOT the one from "Dawson's Creek"). If it seems like I'm being coy, it's because leaking this news would get my top secret source into very big trouble with a certain Mr. L.

Some things to look for in E2:

                                                A return to Tatooine
                                                The truth about Darth Sidious (not what you think)
                                                Jar Jar in a greatly reduced cameo role
                                                Ghostly appearance by Qui-Gon
                                                A whole army of Mandalorians (hip hip hurrah!!!)

mtfbwy,

Quadro 99

MAY 11, 1999:

Just thought I'd do one more update before I return in June. I have not yet seen The Phantom Menace, but I have decided that when May 19 comes, I will not be reporting on it. I fear that any more HYPE will damage the film. Instead, I will spend that time seeing the movie again. And again. And AGAIN. I don't imagine I will have an opinion worth reading about until I have seen the film at least 30 times. Then I will resume my usual updates in full force.

I just wanted to return for a brief comment about THE CRITICS, who have taken the opportunity to BETRAY the good faith of George Lucas and 20th Century Fox by releasing their petty little reviews over a week ahead of schedule. TIME and NEWSWEEK both took their best shots, spitefully whinging about the films with relish. Well, I hope they had their fun, trying to spoil it for everyone.

DON'T LET THEM. These movies are not for people who sit in the dark and scribble. They are for dreamers, people who go to the movies to be transported to a new world via the magic of storytelling. It's the same reason that Focus Groups don't work-- if you tell someone to go in and see what's WRONG with something, they will inevitably find SOMETHING to complain about. These critics went in with their knives sharpened, hoping to take a bite out of everyone's fun.

When Star Wars fans and moviegoers go to see EPISODE ONE, their reactions will be varied. Some people won't like it, but then again, there are people who don't like Star Wars, believe it or not. Just ask my ex-wife. But most people will love it, and it will cause great happiness for decades to come. I know that my son will like it, and I'm sure that I will, too.

May The Force Be With Us!!!!

Ryan Johnson

Jedi Master

E-mail Ryan!

AsTheyGo.com This page was created by Connor Ratliff in February of 1998. Nothing on this page should be considered as anything more than a work of imagination with no basis in fact. I cannot emphasize stongly enought that the content of this page is merely Satire, done in the Spirit of Adventure and Fun. Go See Star Wars!