Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (USE SPOILER TAGS!)

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

George Lucas said, after the release of Red Tails (and this is a paraphrase, don't remember the exact quote):

"Why bother to make movies when all you get are people saying such terrible things about you?"

Of course it bothers him. He knows.

well, don't make sh!t movies then Georgey boy... Red Tails was one of the worst pieces of mindless drivel I'd seen that year. Willow, THX 1138 still hold up and I have no ill will towards him, but if he can't take the heat then he's got no place in the kitchen

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

George Lucas said, after the release of Red Tails (and this is a paraphrase, don't remember the exact quote):

"Why bother to make movies when all you get are people saying such terrible things about you?"

Of course it bothers him. He knows.

I think Red Tails made George realise his time was up as a filmmaker. He caught hell from all quarters for the prequels, and it's not enough to dismiss the hate as a select band of keyboard warriors, because whenever I read anything about Lucas these days it (in print, online, wherever) it always seems to be accompanied by a dig about the prequels. There was one of those '10 questions' mini-interviews with an ex-England cricketer in the paper the other day, and when asked who his ideal dinner guest would be he said "George Lucas, just so I can ask him what happened with those prequels". The hate for those films - and by extension, Lucas - really does seem to have passed into the modern cultural lexicon, which is a tremendous shame IMO because he's (and I've said this before) a genuine American hero for what he's done for cinema as a whole.

To get back to my main point, Lucas knows how much people despise the prequels and the changes that he made to Star Wars. He even said not too long ago that if he'd known how much flak he was gonna cop for making Greedo shoot first, he'd never have done it. Add to that Hollywood's complete and utter apathy towards Red Tails - he shopped it around for ages and when he held a screening only a handful of studio reps even bothered to attend - and it finally hit home how toxic his reputation had become.

So, when Disney came a' calling waving $4 billion simoleons in his face he'd have been crazy to turn them down. Who gives a shit if he's not too concerned about seeing what JJ's done with the new movie? They're working from his story outlines, so it's not like what he's gonna see is a massive surprise for him! He'd rather see the finished article when it's all said and done.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I think Red Tails made George realise his time was up as a filmmaker. He caught hell from all quarters for the prequels, and it's not enough to dismiss the hate as a select band of keyboard warriors, because whenever I read anything about Lucas these days it (in print, online, wherever) it always seems to be accompanied by a dig about the prequels. There was one of those '10 questions' mini-interviews with an ex-England cricketer in the paper the other day, and when asked who his ideal dinner guest would be he said "George Lucas, just so I can ask him what happened with those prequels". The hate for those films - and by extension, Lucas - really does seem to have passed into the modern cultural lexicon, which is a tremendous shame IMO because he's (and I've said this before) a genuine American hero for what he's done for cinema as a whole.

To get back to my main point, Lucas knows how much people despise the prequels and the changes that he made to Star Wars. He even said not too long ago that if he'd known how much flak he was gonna cop for making Greedo shoot first, he'd never have done it. Add to that Hollywood's complete and utter apathy towards Red Tails - he shopped it around for ages and when he held a press screening only a handful of studio reps even bothered to attend - and it finally hit home how toxic his reputation had become.

So, when Disney came a' calling waving $4 billion simoleons in his face he'd have been crazy to turn them down. Who gives a shit if he's not too concerned about seeing what JJ's done with the new movie? They're working from his story outlines, so it's not like what he's gonna see is a massive surprise for him! He'd rather see the finished article when it's all said and done.

I do agree there. the man from the 80's and even 90's was a brilliant light in sea of studio yes men. he made some incredible leaps in tech and in the fight for creative control back then.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I think Red Tails made George realise his time was up as a filmmaker. He caught hell from all quarters for the prequels, and it's not enough to dismiss the hate as a select band of keyboard warriors, because whenever I read anything about Lucas these days it (in print, online, wherever) it always seems to be accompanied by a dig about the prequels. There was one of those '10 questions' mini-interviews with an ex-England cricketer in the paper the other day, and when asked who his ideal dinner guest would be he said "George Lucas, just so I can ask him what happened with those prequels". The hate for those films - and by extension, Lucas - really does seem to have passed into the modern cultural lexicon, which is a tremendous shame IMO because he's (and I've said this before) a genuine American hero for what he's done for cinema as a whole.

To get back to my main point, Lucas knows how much people despise the prequels and the changes that he made to Star Wars. He even said not too long ago that if he'd known how much flak he was gonna cop for making Greedo shoot first, he'd never have done it. Add to that Hollywood's complete and utter apathy towards Red Tails - he shopped it around for ages and when he held a screening only a handful of studio reps even bothered to attend - and it finally hit home how toxic his reputation had become.

So, when Disney came a' calling waving $4 billion simoleons in his face he'd have been crazy to turn them down. Who gives a shit if he's not too concerned about seeing what JJ's done with the new movie? They're working from his story outlines, so it's not like what he's gonna see is a massive surprise for him! He'd rather see the finished article when it's all said and done.

Just one small note...Lucas came to Disney (well, Bob Iger, at the premiere for the great Star Tours 2.0 ride at Disneyland) and told Iger he was thinking about retiring and selling the company. Iger told him, "When you're ready, let me know." or words to that effect. A year later, Lucas was ready, impressed with how Iger hand treated Pixar and Marvel.

[camper]

Originally Posted by wormraper

well, don't make sh!t movies then Georgey boy... Red Tails was one of the worst pieces of mindless drivel I'd seen that year. Willow, THX 1138 still hold up and I have no ill will towards him, but if he can't take the heat then he's got no place in the kitchen

Agreed, Willow is one of my all-time favorites. Like it better than Indian Jones.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by wormraper

I do agree there. the man from the 80's and even 90's was a brilliant light in sea of studio yes men. he made some incredible leaps in tech and in the fight for creative control back then.

With digital cameras and digital editing, he's done more for the idea of a democratic cinema than anyone in the history of movies. The one thing that prevents artists from creating new work is the cost. You remove the cost barrier, you open the floodgates. Way, way back in the 80's, Siskel and Ebert released a book called "The Future of Film" (I think that was the title), and featured interviews with Coppola, Spielberg, and Lucas. Lucas was all about investing in digital tech to take filmmaking out of the hands of the studios, because "gears and sprockets" filmmaking was so expensive, you had to go to those who controlled the money to make your movies. Lucas wanted to end that and had a vision as to how to get there. Coppola shared the same enthusiasm, saying with the rise of camcorders, kids were going to grow up with filmmaking tech, and in the process, we could one day see the cinema equivalent of Mozart (of course, I think Spielberg is exactly that, but I digress).

So Lucas is a monumental figure in film history, and one day, he'll get his due...probably when he dies, which is sadly typical.

[Ernest Rister]

By the way, where the hell is Lucas/Coppola's Tucker: The Man and His Dream on Blu-Ray? That movie was terrific.

Tucker, The Man And His Dream - Official Trailer [HD] - YouTube

[kurtlingle]

I have to admit, I think I understand why people want the UOT (I don't as I prefer the upgrades, updates, etc) but all the comments/arguing over the UOT sure ruins threads like this, etc.

I think eventually they will come out, but I do wonder how many people really want them.

Originally Posted by rickah88

Such a shame. No question, Lucas was a true visionary and industry innovator. I'm glad he was able to come to an agreement with Disney.
I think it would be so funny if he included some small clause in the Disney deal that stipulated UOT's couldn't be released for another 50 years.
Just as a final F.U. to all venom spewing nonsense he had to endure over the last decade.

Either way, I'll always know he gave me so much more than he's ever taken away...and for that I'll always be thankful.

[stvn1974]

Speaking of Red Tails...when is the Special Edition with TIE Fighters added in going to be be released?

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Speaking of Red Tails...when is the Special Edition with TIE Fighters added in going to be be released?

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

So Lucas is a monumental figure in film history, and one day, he'll get his due...probably when he dies, which is sadly typical.

Not to mention Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound dramatically improved VFX and SFX way beyond what Hollywood was doing and they still continue to push the envelope on tech.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by kurtlingle

I have to admit, I think I understand why people want the UOT (I don't as I prefer the upgrades, updates, etc) but all the comments/arguing over the UOT sure ruins threads like this, etc.

I think eventually they will come out, but I do wonder how many people really want them.

I think you know the answer.....a bunch.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Elvis

I think you know the answer.....a bunch.

Figure LucasFilm will go E.T. 20th anniversary and put both versions in the same set.

[Elvis]

OMG He already got his due. He literally changed Hollywood with the first Star Wars film. Much like Gone with the Wind changed Hollywood in 1939. How do any of you think he has not gotten his due? He got it...then made bad films and treated his original fans like bantha poodoo....so he is reaping what he sowed.

[iamsometal]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Speaking of Red Tails...when is the Special Edition with TIE Fighters added in going to be be released?

There is no polishing that turd. Wouldn't see it again regardless of how many tie fighters he threw at the screen.

[Gaius Marius]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Figure LucasFilm will go E.T. 20th anniversary and put both versions in the same set.

I'd be up for a set with the UOT, the '97 Special Editions and the latest verisons. Good way to the progression (regression?) of the films over time.

[the sordid sentinel]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

By the way, where the hell is Lucas/Coppola's Tucker: The Man and His Dream on Blu-Ray? That movie was terrific.

Tucker, The Man And His Dream - Official Trailer [HD] - YouTube

LOVE that movie and the photography is drop dead beautiful. Would be all over a Blu release.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Elvis

OMG He already got his due. He literally changed Hollywood with the first Star Wars film. Much like Gone with the Wind changed Hollywood in 1939. How do any of you think he has not gotten his due? He got it...then made bad films and treated his original fans like bantha poodoo....so he is reaping what he sowed.

bingo

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by aiman04

I disagree, we might not want him in the director's chair or writing the full screenplay, but we need all his input we can get. He's a great ideas man, where he is now as a creative consultant is just perfect. I'm actually disappointed that now he don't care anymore, I really hope at least his story treatment stays intact in this trilogy.

Not only doesn't he "care anymore" as you put it, but he's also a sellout. He was all like "I don't want anyone working on Star Wars anymore" then Disney offered him over $4M, then he was like "I always intended Star Wars to live on."

Such a lying sell out!

[Scarface32]

Originally Posted by CinemaBlu

You know, George Lucas is also responsible for pretty much everything that's GREAT about Star Wars.

And also everything that's BAD about it too. What's your point?