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By scientific estimates, the Milky Way galaxy contains as many as 300 billion stars. Around these distant suns there might orbit billions upon billions of planets, coming in as many shapes and sizes as we can imagine. One galaxy far, far way, however, apparently isn't as rich in untapped worlds as our own galactic vicinity. Recent media reports suggest Star Wars Episode VII, the latest upcoming film in the celebrated space epic film series, is falling back on a familiar dust-covered world for one of its locations. Although many will no doubt welcome the return of an iconic planet, I see it as a troubling indicator of creative bankruptcy plaguing the Star Wars universe.
When I first read that Disney was eyeing Morocco or Abu Dhabi as possible sites to film parts of Star Wars Episode VII, I intuitively knew what the sci-fi franchise's new keepers had in mind. Both countries are covered in wide-open desert expanses - the perfect backdrop to recreate one conveniently marketable Star Wars planet. Only after further media speculation and apparent confirmation from inside sources, have I now allowed the weight of the decision to sink in. Once again, the silver screen is set to bear witness to the endless sand dunes of Tatooine.
The world that served as the launching point for Luke Skywalker's quest to become a Jedi and bring balance to Force is by far the most popular setting for anything Star Wars related. As of now, Tatooine has appeared in five out of six Star Wars films, and has been visited uncountable times in other mediums. In the real world, its original Tunisian sets are a Mecca for geeks, and scientists have even nicknamed an actualextrasolar planet after it.
From an in-universe point-of-view, this fixation on Tatooine makes little sense. The place is a sparsely populated barren wasteland, a hub for washed-out space bandits where a common occupation is farming water. And yet, with the frequency it is visited by the Star Wars universe's leading powerbrokers, you'd think it was a galactic equivalent of New York City. Picture how absurd it would be if an obscure developing country like Chad or Turkmenistan was suddenly made the epicenter of Earth's destiny. That's how silly it is for Tatooine to constantly play a key role in the Star Wars chronology.
Besides nitpicking the geopolitical nuances of a fictional space-faring galaxy, I have other reasons for loathing the return to Tatooine's sand-swept surface. My main gripe is straightforward: Tatooine is no longer interesting. Don't get me wrong, I still love the place. Tatooine is central to my fondest childhood memories of Star Wars. But just because I also like scrambled eggs, doesn't mean I want to have them for breakfast every day for the rest of my life. Variety is the spice of life, and the Spice Mines of Kessel no longer ship to Tatooine.
Tatooine's narrative potential has run as dry as a malfunctioning moisture vaporator. Over the course of countless appearances in films, books, comics and video games, ever single drop of fresh material -new characters, locations and insights into its history and society- has been sapped from its blistering surface. We've met Jawas, Sand People, Hutts and all manner of cantina riff-raff. We've faced savage Krayt Dragons, battled atop the Sarlacc pit and engaged in high-speed podracing through the planet's badlands. We've witnessed not one, but two legendary protagonists begin their story arcs on this unremarkable backwater world. What more of Tatooine is there to see?
Furthermore, a planet completely covered in desert can only offer so much when it comes to creative sci-fi scenery. One sand dune looks much like another, and although past Star Wars outings have done their best to vary the planet's vistas, giving us twisting canyons and lively spaceports, I don't see how the next movie could offer anything new visually.
I am in no way questioning Tatooine's status as an iconic sci-fi setting or it's rightfully earned place in the Star Wars mythos. With that said, the Sequel Trilogy is a chance to take the time-tested franchise in a bold, new and inspiring direction. An opportunity to undo George Lucas's mishandling of the property, dump the convoluted baggage of the Expanded Universe and explore new corners of an imaginative galaxy. Tatooine is not the place to start.
Frankly, I'm just sick of the place after countless years of overexposure. If it must be in the movie, I would personally limit it to a quick cameo, perhaps meriting a handful of scenes. I understand the desire to lure fans in with familiar locations, but the urge is best resisted. J.J. Abrams and the creative folks at Disney have a galaxy worth of potential worlds to build. It would be a shame if they limited themselves to retreading the same ones over and over again.
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