Seriously, Disney, just make the Thrawn films

So popular opinion seems to be that Disney's not going to adapt the Thrawn books and instead make something original, possibly involving the next generation of Skywalkers and Solo-Skywalkers so that we can have the original actors back (because re-casting beloved characters is always a recipe for disaster, right?)

So let me be clear: when Disney makes a new Star Wars film, I'm going to review it on this blog. And I will automatically deduct half the points if Thrawn is not in it.

Because here's the thing: as much as Episodes II and III sucked, George Lucas at least listened to us and reduced Jar Jar Binks to a cameo.  In a completely different franchise, BioWare finally caved an gave us a better ending to Mass Effect 3. We are, for better or worse, in the Era of the Entitled Fanboy. And Disney would do well to acknowledge that.

Besides all of that, here is one very solid reason why the Episode VII should be titled Heir to the Empire.

The fans kind of have the Thrawn trilogy on a special pedestal. We know the plot's a bit iffy, but it's the smartest jumping-off point that currently exists, and it won't require the fans to take a massive leap of faith.

It would be a much bigger risk, in light of the prequels, to go off to another generation for adventures. Understand that Episode VII will be a) the first Star Wars film made by Disney, and b) assumed to be the first Star Wars film made by someone other than George Lucas (I direct you to my earlier post on this matter, although I recant on a different point there; I'd cast Fillion as Han Solo and Mark Sheppard as Karrde).

With that in mind, this is the time to play it safe. I don't want to say "Do what Star Trek the Star Trek did," but do what Star Trek the Star Trek did. Strip everything back down to its basics so that the dumb mainstream audience can follow along, but tell a story you know the fans will love.

In short, make the frakking kriffing Thrawn films.