News
The People Versus George Lucas
Sept. 3, 2009 – An upcoming documentary examines at the love/hate relationship that some Star Wars fans have with the sci-fi property’s famous creator—filmmaker George Lucas. Documentary The People vs. George Lucas is being produced by Alexandre Philippe.
A New York Post article notes some Star Wars afficinadoes “feel exploited by the endless amount of merchandise Lucasfilm releases, knowing Star Wars die-hards will have to purchase it all.”
The NY Post article by Reed Tucker quotes Philippe as saying “Star Wars was originally about telling a great story. Now there's a sense that it’s more about action figures and selling.” Though Philippe promises the documentary won’t be simply a beat-up on Lucas.
In an 11,000-word chapter devoted to licensed movie merchandise, Marketing to Moviegoers: Second Edition examines the Lucasfilm empire and Lucas’ shrewd decision when making the 1977 original Star Wars to accept a low salary in exchange for perpetual licensed merchandise rights. The then-management of 20th Century Fox never expected the film to be such a toy and products extravaganza.
“At the time Star Wars hit theaters, it had just 10 licensees, but that mushroomed when the sci-fi fantasy exploded in box office,” notes one of many passages on Lucas in Marketing to Moviegoers: Second Edition.
For full text, click link below:
www.nypost.com/seven/09032009/entertainment/movies/force_or_farce__187805.htm
www.marketingmovies.net/chapters/chapter-5-merchandising/