The Distant Echo
| Fan Film | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Distant Echo: A Star Wars Fan Film |
| Creator: | Windstorm Entertainment |
| Date: | December 2, 2017 |
| Length: | 00:12:29 |
| Medium: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars, Star Wars Expanded Universe |
| URL: | YouTube, Facebook |
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The Distant Echo is a Star Wars fan film by Windstorm Entertainment that also features characters from the old Star Wars Expanded Universe (now Legends). It centers on the parallels between Rey and her Legends counterpart Jaina Solo.
A teaser trailer for the film was released on YouTube on March 5, 2018. The full version was released on December 2, 2017, twelve days before the theatrical premiere of The Last Jedi, with which it shares many plot and thematic elements.
The film has no relationship to The Clone Wars episode, "A Distant Echo".
Selected Cast and Crew
- Rey - Hailey Nebeker
- Kylo Ren - Hunter Nelson (unmasked), Deven Davenport (stunt double)
- Jaina Solo - Jaci Twiss
- Jacen Solo - Tye Nelson
- Anakin Skywalker - Andrew Peters
- Young Luke Skywalker - Robbie Damewood
- Mara Jade - Rio Van Zant
Both Nelson and Twiss reprised their roles as Jacen and Jaina Solo from Windstorm Entertainment's previous fan film, Legacy of the Force (2015).
- Writer, Director, Producer - Tye Nelson
- Associate Producers - Mario DeAngelis, Joshua David McLerran
- Sound Design - David Evanoff
- Visual Effects Supervisor - Zeb Jackson
- Director of Photography - Austin Green
- Music - Seth Neuffer
In addition, the film boasted a large professional crew, many with preexisting ties to the film industry, that is fully listed in the credits.[1]
Opening Crawl
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...According to LEGENDS, this may have happened...
Rey - The orphan scavenger from Jakku, has sought out Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. As Rey begins her training, a strange foreboding resonates from the old Jedi Master.
Startled by her strength in the Force, Luke pushes Rey to focus on meditation, becoming one with herself and at peace with the mystical energy source that binds the universe together.
As the young apprentice delves deeper into her own mind, startling revelations open doors to more questions; questions that only the Force will answer...
Synopsis
The film opens with the arrival of the Millenium Falcon to Ahch-To, as seen in The Force Awakens. As the Falcon zooms over the ocean, Rey looks up to a cloaked and hooded Luke Skywalker standing above her.
Night falls, and Luke introduces Rey to her final test: a cave strong with the dark side of the Force, similar to the one Luke himself encountered in The Empire Strikes Back. Luke says that although the Force is strong with Rey, her path is uncertain, and she must confront her fears. As Rey confidently strides away, Luke acknowledges to a concerned R2-D2 that he failed his own test and comforts the droid as best he can.
Rey finds herself in a snowy forest, which she recognizes from her fight against Kylo Ren on Starkiller Base. An unmasked Kylo appears, his weapon drawn, and she ignites her own lightsaber in response. As Kylo shouts "That lightsaber belongs to me!", Rey has visions of others who have laid claim to the weapon, including Anakin Skywalker, a younger version of Luke, and Mara Jade.
When Rey insists that her opponent is not real, Kylo transforms into Jacen Solo and dons Kylo's mask. When he speaks again, it is in Kylo's voice. Kylo attacks Rey, and Rey defends herself. Although she is eventually disarmed, she is able to use to the Force to call the saber to her hand--only for the scene to cut to a parallel fight between Jacen and his twin sister Jaina Solo. Rey's movements in her duel against Kylo mimic that of Jaina's against Jacen.
Rey stabs Kylo, though Kylo does not fall. He projects Force lightning, which Rey is able to successfully block. Kylo unmasks, and when Rey asks "Jacen?", Jacen acknowledges her as "Jaina". Jacen begs Jaina to destroy him, claiming it's her destiny. The two switch back and forth between identities, with Jacen becoming Kylo and Rey becoming Jaina at intervals.
Jacen again asks Rey to destroy him, so she can become the Sword of the Jedi. Rey refuses, claiming it's not her path. A tearful Jaina tells Jacen he will always be her brother, but "this isn't my story".
Jacen/Kylo disappears and Rey walks away in the snow. As she retreats, she passes a wall of ice where Jaina is mirrored in her reflection. "Who are you?" Rey demands. "Who are you?" Jaina replies cryptically. When Rey demurs, calling herself 'Nobody,' Jaina repeats "Who are you?"
"Who am I," Rey says in wonder, as she and Jaina mirror each other in raising their hands, so that their reflections appear to touch. Jaina smiles. "Who am I," Rey repeats thoughtfully, as she strides away from the mirror into the snow.
Relationship with Canon
Although the film was released prior to The Last Jedi, it predicted many elements that would later become canon, including a dark side cave, Rey confronting a reflection in a mirror, and her struggles with her own identity. The filmmakers commented on YouTube that "we had no idea what rian johnson was doing, but we're giddy about the similarities".[2]
Director Tye Nelson elaborated in an interview:
The Distant Echo is literally my opinion on the direction where the new movies have gone. It's a different story. That's all. Star Wars will always be a reminder of my childhood, an escape to a fantasy that let me dream - and if nothing else, dreams are meant to inspire.[3].
The film's music is a combination of John William's leitmotifs and original music from composer Seth Neuffer. Neuffer mixed Jaina Solo's theme from Legacy of the Force with Rey's theme throughout the film, with both playing simultaneously on different instruments. As Jaina and Rey switch places, so do their themes.[4]
Reactions on YouTube
After watching the last Jedi I just want to come back to your fan film and hide in it. Still unsure how to feel about episode 8. It is pretty chilling/awesome that you actually unwittingly reflected so many of the same themes and even images from tlj though! Are you sure you didn't hide out on the set or something? [5]
I have been pumped since you told me you guys were making this. Once again, you all nailed it. I have to say I cried both times Jacen and Jaina spoke to each other. Just blown away. SO well done and both my girls represented. What a GORGEOUS way to parallel the four characters of Jacen and Kylo and Jaina and Rey. Totally headcannon now for me, no matter how the next film goes. Your love and passion for all things Star Wars really shines through. [6]
Normally fanfilms like these feel like fanfilms, you can tell they're not real big budget Hollywood movies....but damn, this one DID feel like a big budget film!!! The lighting, music, acting, effects, EVERYTHING was perfect! Great job![7]
... this is the first time we've seen anyone portray Mara (and not just a cosplay) in a film or show in over 18 years [since The Dark Redemption]. Let that sink in![8]
Image Gallery
Luke and Rey.
Mara Jade.
Jacen Solo.
Jaina Solo.
Jaina speaks to Rey through the mirror.
Behind the Scenes
- The Distant Echo - Star Wars VFX BTS SABER and LIGHTNING w/ Tyrone Thomas
- Behind The Music - Composer Seth Neuffer talks "The Distant Echo"
- Lightsaber sound effects