Joss Whedon: I wouldn’t have brought back original characters for ‘EPISODE VII.’

Well, here is the big comment from Whedon that is slithering its way through the Inter-Pipes of Geek-Fandom tonight. Let’s engage it, and then let me know where you side in the debate. Me? I’m pretty much in the middle. I would have been happy if they weren’t in the series, but I’m also okay with it. Provided, of course, it is done well. At the very least, I feel Whedon’s sentiment.

Screen Rant:

Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm (and the announcement of new Star Warsfilms) stands as one of the biggest developments the entertainment world has seen in years. Almost instantly, the debate began on which filmmaker should be entrusted with re-launching the franchise, and while JJ Abrams was ultimately selected to direct Episode 7, one fan favorite name never had a chance at the job: Joss Whedon.

The Avengers writer/director, many fans argue, would have made a brilliant choice to make the film. After all, his work with Marvel (in addition to TV series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly) prove that he knows a thing or two about working with ensemble casts – and dealing with supernatural forces. Plus, those projects also feature the balance of light-hearted adventure, wry humor and character-motivated story that has made Star Wars one of the most beloved film series of all-time.

Nevertheless, Whedon is hard at work overseeing Phase Two of Marvel’s big-screen efforts – culminating in The Avengers 2 in 2015 – as well as the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series. However, one cannot help but wonder exactly how Whedon would have approached this new Star Wars trilogy, were he available to work on it.

Digital Spy recently got a chance to ask Whedon just that, and his answer may prove controversial to the massive Star Wars fanbase. Here’s what he said:

“I wouldn’t go back. I’d go forward. I would want to create characters that would resonate the way that [the original trilogy’s characters] did. Not that I wouldn’t want to see them… I’d be excited to. But I also feel like I would want to explore a very different part of that universe.”