Ep 81: How real life impacts screenwriting - The Episode IX Conundrum & unforeseen circumstances for scriptwriters

Reality might not always play a huge part in the movies & TV we watch but sometimes the outcome of real life changes the course of fiction more than we know.

Following the sad, untimely passing of Carrie Fisher in 2016 the fact that JJ Abrams had previously intended Episode IX to centre around Leia Organa throws up more than just pain at the loss of such a bright star in the universe. For the scriptwriters there's a potential rewrite of the entire narrative as well as the difficult task of paying tribute to such key character, scribe and real-world icon of the franchise as a whole. In this episode we discuss the possibilities and potential pitfalls which lie ahead for Episode IX whilst also exploring how other films and TV have dealt with the influence of real life situations including House of Cards, Friends, Frasier, The X-Files and more...

We also discuss the merits of persevering with TV shows which may not have piqued your interest first time round in particular the latest Matt Groening series, Disenchantment, and the new season of Bojack Horseman!

Keep it cricket,

JoJ x