Stalwart web journalist Edward Douglas of Coming Soon had a chance to sit down with George Lucas at ShoWest yesterday after the Warner Bros presentation, where clips from the new Star Wars animated movie/TV show premiered. Ed asked Lucas about work on Red Tails, the Tuskegee Airmen film he’s producing from a script by union-busting scumbag John Ridley. He blah blahed about that film, which you can read here, but what caught my eye was this:
That’s probably going to be the last movie I do, apart from my own movies, but my own movies are going to be more esoteric and probably will come and go in a week and be in one or two arthouses. It’s basically the same as what Francis (Ford Coppola) is doing.
Holy fucking time warp. How many years has Lucas been spouting this same line? Why does he keep trotting this ‘plan’ out in interviews without seeming to ever actually follow up on it? We all heard that he was going to be doing this when he finished inflicting the Star Wars prequels on us, but then he went and started work on more Star Wars nonsense.
George Lucas is the single guy in Hollywood – maybe even moreso than Steven Spielberg – who can say that he wants to make arthouse films and turn around and do it. Unlike Steve, he’s spent his whole career keeping himself away from Hollywood, and he’s created his own system where he could crank out his versions of Youth Without Youth at his leisure. It’s funny that he namedrops old mentor Francis Ford Coppola – after a decade in the wilderness that included lawsuits, the death of a child, the destruction of a dream project and massive money problems, Coppola has returned to make decidedly non-mainstream movies. What’s been holding Lucas back all this time?
Let’s be fair: nobody wants to see an arthouse film from George Lucas. I don’t even think he wants to make one. He’s interested in technology, and I think that maybe he’s ashamed of this; he comes from that USC crowd that wanted to change movies in ways that didn’t mean ‘Turn them into commercial for merchandising lines.’ But the truth is that Lucas has never been a great filmmaker, or even really poised to be one, and maybe he should just accept what his legacy will be. He’s a wizard, not a storyteller, and he wows audiences with pretty lights and tricks that have no emotional resonance or meaning. There’s nothing wrong with that, I guess.
I have to admit to finding the whole thing a little bit sad. I feel like George isn’t happy with where his career has gone, and that he maybe doesn’t really understand why it is what it is. He still looks to Francis Ford Coppola in the same way that he did in his 20s. And the truth is that in a hundred years Francis Ford Coppola will be someone people talk about as an artist, while George Lucas will be the late 20th century version of Thomas Edison or Lumiere – technical visionaries whose films are not seen as much of anything. In a hundred years The Godfather films will still be relevant and meaningful in the same way the great novels of a hundred years ago are relevant and meaningful today. But who gives a shit about the pulp wackiness of a hundred years ago? The works are not remembered but rather it’s their ripple effect of influence. In one hundred years nobody will be watching Star Wars but the mass appeal movies (or whatever the art form is then) will be influenced by it in ways that it maybe doesn’t even realize. And that’s not the legacy Lucas wants.
57 comments
You make excellent points, but I think Star Wars will still be watched in 100 years. You are foolhardy to think otherwise. If nothing else, it will be remembered as a pop culture Pearl Harbor.
George Lucas not an art-house type filmaker. You are fucking out of your mind Motherfucker. Maybe to you don't remember a little film called… um, wait, it will come to me. Fuck!!! Is that too many Fucks?! What about shit or piss, is that better. sick my duck. Or don't, fucker.
In all fairness to George, he suffered through a painful divorce. He did bring us "Mishima" and "Tucker".<and "Captain EO">
I'm surprised it's taken this long for someone to address Lucas' nonsensical ramblings about his "art movies" that "no one will want to see" that he's been planning since May 26, 1977.
The thing is, I actually would be interested to see whatever he'd come up with, but as Devin points out, it's bullshit.
He need to make a live action Ron adaptation.
Personally, I think Coppola's a bit overrated himself. Sure, he's made some strong and enduring films, but there seems to be a lot of luck involved with that. Especially when you look at the stuff he's done that's not considered essential, which there's more of. I'd call him a highly competent filmmaker — with admirable aspirations — who doesn't always make the best decisions. I often think — in fact — that Coppola would be a consistently better filmmaker if he wasn't aware of his own lofty reputation. I think a lot of his worst decisions are based on inflated ego, and you can really hear that in a lot of his audio commentary work.
Lucas is fucking Ronald McDonald, whether he likes it or not. Sure, American Graffiti is a great Americanization of cinema verite, French new wave, whatever, but I don't know if the guy who made that even exists anymore.
quote: But who gives a shit about the pulp wackiness of a hundred years ago? —> Dracula, Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes etc etc etc. American Graffiti will last – He bumholed THX with the digitals, otherwise that's olid arthouse. His USC stuff was really nice, but "cold" and I guess "Wizardy". The original Star Wars will be remembered for the modernisation of mythic storytelling forms. And it's not like they won't be tilling that particular field well into the VR/Cyberspace age of entertainment – Lightsabre battles alone garantee at least a 1000 years of commercial viability. But agreed – he has to get on with his art projects or shut the fuck up. But what the fuck does he have to express that would connect with anyone who isn't a super rich lock-in movie mogul? His love of turtle necks? His hatred of staring eyes? He should just give Frank Darabont all the money and support he needs to keep being awesome.
While I don't want to assume to know what Lucas' intentions are or what he thinks of his body of work, I would bet that Devin hits closer to the mark than what Lucas would enjoy if reading this.
I love that Lucas cited what FFC is doing now.
I don't know about the assessment that "pulp wackiness" won't be remembered 100 years later. After all, in his time Dickens was considered, essentially, the height of pulp. As was Poe. And Marry Shelley. And what about Philip K. Dick and Lovecraft? If anything, pulp has more power to transcend time-boundaries than anything else.
Lucas is the ultimate OCD control freak. That's why everything has to have a specific naming convention. All the original Star Wars movies got renamed. Hell, the original went from "Star Wars" to "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" to let us all know it was the same series as "Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones." Because, apparently, we're all really dumb. Of course, the worst of the bunch is the DVD box set for the Jones trilogy, which renames the first one "Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark," which is completely retarded. And at one point, he had all of the VHS copies of the "Young Indiana Jones" stuff numbered… and went ahead and numbered Temple Of Doom before Raiders because of what year it took place. Like we all need to watch it in that order, or we're getting the story wrong. Retard.
I hope Lucas gets punched the fuck out at a convention one day. Maybe it'll be me. I've never seen someone so completely out of touch with reality or their own work moreso than he is. No one likes working with him, no one likes working for him, and he doesn't even have the body of work before him like a Michael Mann or David Fincher to justify his completely unprofessional behavior. I hope before all is said and done with, his name is buried with all the other wasted talent in Hollywood. Brian De Palma, scoot over and give this guy some room at the table.
He might just be paranoid that no one in the studios is interested in his stuff anymore. It al ldepends who's been talking to him and about what.
I hate to defend Lucas but American Graffiti and the 1st Star Wars are great films.
His single greatest achievement: THX-1138, and that includes the tweaked re-release. It was a statement of youth, an original voice, and it still resonates with anti-conformity. His single greatest failure: nixing Han Solo getting the drop on Greedo. If that don't say it all right there, then you're already dead on the inside.
"Let's be fair: nobody wants to see an arthouse film from George Lucas. I don't even think he wants to make one."
Lucas' shared producer credits on Mishima and Powaqaatsi, convince me he can. Even THX-1138 show that he's been able to direct something smart if he wants to.
W'oah… As much as I think the Star Wars prequels are a joke, Devin, you're way off on this. Star Wars has been a cornerstone in the public consciousness for thirty years now and is as strong as ever. It will persist in the same way Wizard of Oz has.
I also suggest you go back and take a closer look at THX 1138 and American Graffiti, or maybe even read a bit about his film school output. He was doing some relatively avant-garde stuff, particularly in his use of sound montage. Graffiti seems pretty tame today, but at the time it was really strange and off-putting for a lot of people–it was highly unconventional.
I don't really blame you for being biased after dealing with a decade of prequels, but you should at least revisit the guy's earlier work. And I don't know how you can honestly believe Star Wars won't be remembered… I am not a raging fan boy… I don't even really like nerds (sorry, guys). As I said, Star Wars is already thirty years old and remains culturally ubiquitous.
Look, this is coming from an angry fat guy on the internet who gets published on a website and has never proven himself in any established media. Anyone who gets pissy about George Lucas is probably a sucker who feels burned for spending whatever amount of money on Lucas-brand material and takes movies too seriously. Lucas has proven himself in this culture, he will be remembered in a positive light, and this discussion is silly.
More whiny-ass rumblings from someone who wishes he was a movie insider, but is not.
Lucas can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Sorry his movies are not "artistic" enough for someone like you who considers themselves an Elite Movie Critic.
This page has gone to shit since it stopped being a page by FANS and turned into something where people so despirately want to be more than they are.
Tell me about shot composure, tell me about lighting, tell me about the wonderful acting job, and tell me about all the other elitist bullshit you want to ramble on about … all I want to know was is the movie ENTERTAINING or not.
My opinion. Start the flaming now.
Thank God for Arrow in the Head Horror Reviews.
Seriously, shut up. I mean it, shut your stupid mouth. You're right of course, no one will watch Star Wars 100 years from now. Except they will. Good god you're a moron. And you're probably a terrible, terrible person who does nothing but wallow in hate and jealousy all day; angry they have little to no talent and will take it out on everyone, which seems to be what this entire fucking site is about. The internet is shit because it let's scum like you have a job when, oh let's say 100 years ago you would be lying in a gutter somewhere spouting off how smart you were and depended on a few coins here and there that strangers tossed you. You are a maggot.
It's kind of ridiculous to complain about this. It's par for course. Someday he might get around to it, but it isn't urgent to him, obviously.
Okay Devin, I always enjoy hearing your opinions, as you are a very honest conerstone in a business that is notorious for lies and deceit. But Star Wars as "pulp wackiness" that no one will watch in 100 years? Like it or not, Star Wars is bigger than YOU, its bigger than ME, and although its meanings may not be as profound as some prefer, they are a part of the stories that have lasted for centuries. Star Wars will last because the trials of Hercules have lasted, because King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table have lasted, and because the fucking Illiad has lasted. Sorry Devin, but you are sadly mistaken on this one.
Great news item here. You should have just called it "I hate George Lucas." There's simply no denying his early work, which is fantastic and still relevant. Sure, I've tuned out to what SW (and Lucas) has become as much as the next guy. But saying his early work is no good because of his recent output is frankly stupid, and it's irresponsibly poor film criticism and thinking in general.
Because Lucas and Coppola have been so joined together in their filmmaking careers I've always seen them as a yin and yang thing. With each one wishing they had a little more of each other in them.
Your last paragraph nailed it! Lucas has a raging case of creative envy…he's been financially successful in the industry, even challenging new technologies and standards, and no doubt the popularity of SW (OT) has had a sustaining popularity, if not holding up over time as great films. Lucas is at best, an above average workman-like director. Money can buy you cool toy's, but at the end of the day, it can't buy talent or skill. I kinda see Lucas as that spoiled kid who got all the cool toys, but no body really gave a shit cause he didn't know how to use them. Good read Devin.
Star Wars > The Godfather.
I'm happy George inflicted pain on Devin.
He just means he wants to make a non Star Wars movie when he says art-house. Because he knows if it isn't Star Wars, and he writes and directs it, then it will be in and out of theaters in no time. 🙂
fuck
I didn't realize people were still up in arms over the whole "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" thing. If you watch the movie, you can clearly see that the title is just Raiders of the Lost Ark. If Lucas, Spielberg, et al had actually altered the opening credits of the movie to change the title, I could then see people being slightly annoyed, but certainly not the rage it seems to inspire. Absolutely nothing in the movie itself was changed. To argue that the home video artwork proves otherwise is to say that the marketing/promotion of the movie is more important than the movie itself.
To say that Star Wars will not be remembered 100 years from now is just ludicrous. Trying to say that The Godfather is higher art is equally ridiculous. The Godfather is an outstandingly great movie, but it's still, at heart, lurid pulp. (Just read Puzo's novel if you don't believe me.)
Kids won't know Star Wars 100 years from now. Hmmm, probably. I know plenty of kids who don't know what Metropolis or Seven Samurai are. I'm sure the internet will be up there with the telegraph. Don't think they'll remember that 'I hate George Lucas' guy either. Really, let it go man. These tirades are getting just as old as Lucas saying he'll go art house.
Some of these talkbacks seem to think that because Star Wars will be watched by people that exist 100 years from now, that makes it a great film. I'm pretty sure Coca-Cola and McDonalds will still be consumed in 100 years. That doesn't make them cultural touchstones.
I agree with the points that Lucas should shut his piehole about trying to be an "indie" SUPA filmmaker, at this rate it'll never happen with the MACHINE(tm) that Star Wars is. Also, his revisionist history toward EVERYTHING he does is pretty fuckin' ridiculous.
But I'll say this, I've been a fan of Star Wars since I saw the original as a 4 year old. I'm eager to see IJ4, Kingdom of the Mayan Alien Crystal Skull thing. I love a lot of what Lucas has done. But his continued rhetoric about his goal to make Red Tails and his cock sucking of FFC is getting really old.
The way I see it, we'll get the 2 new Star Wars series, animated and live action, and then AND ONLY THEN would we even have a shot at a true indie film from Luca$. That is unless, he makes the continued adventures of Indiana Jones with Shia LeBEEF.
You know, when you get right down to it, why do we all give a fuck about some rich guy who made a couple of great films and obsess over every mention of him. The obsession is almost as bad as Luca$'s obsession with FFC and Making Red Tails.
Fandom, can, is, and will be ridiculous.
Just as ridiculous as me standing in line on 7/26 to buy Clone Wars action figures. When I'm 35 years old.
I should grow up…
Farci; you are devoid of a soul as ever. Star Wars moves people in ways few other films ever have. You might not get it because you saw Planet of the Apes and think it's better, but those movies will be forgotten in 25 years. While Star Wars will endure because there's a whole generation behind you that does not share your ridiculous cynicism or biases, and they are oddly not as dicky either.
You are simply the worst geek commentator on the net. Your Star Wars hatred represents this in spades. Go start your own site where these pissant views of your's have some meaning. Unlike here; where you stick out like a sore fucking thumb.
One more thing you sad-fucking sack of a man; THE KIDS DO NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT GODFATHER RIGHT NOW! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK ANYONE IN A 100 YEAR WILL? Get lost Devin.
Seriously. Did this get linked to a Star Wars forum or something? Look, the first three Star Wars — well, only one of them was anything to get excited over if you ignore the SFX but whatever, for the sake of the argument — were great action films and it's feasible that they'll remain an important part of film history. But to go from there to asinine, intellectually barren, unfounded statements that it's anything like "The Iliad" or "Seven Samurai" mark you as nothing more than feverish fanboys who, in order to legitimate their interests, must elevate them to god-like status.
Star Wars added *nothing* new to the hero myth. Script-wise, action-wise, acting-wise it is *nothing* special. It is B-movie, popcorn bonanza. Those involved executed it well, I'll give you that, it wasn't stupid popcorn fare like anything Michael Bay poops out. But let's not starting raising Lucas to Homer proportions, for goodness sake.
You'd think Devin had fucked your mothers or something.
George Lucas is not a great film maker? BALDERDASH. Pop in THX 1138 and TELL me that's not a great and beautiful film.
You can't keep holding Jar Jar against him forever.s
Let's see YOUR emotionally resonant or meaningful piece of art, Devin. Anything at all. Those who can, do. Those who can't, become sad critics.
The best in film in a series he created, is the one he likes the least. He has never been talented, at least in an artistic sense. You could claim he is talented in a craftsman sense… but after 30 years of nothing, I don't see how anyone could claim that. Star Wars will only survive if our weak generation succeeds in fobbing it off on the new one.
No emotional resonance???? Hello???? Millions of boys and men worldwide dreamed of being Luke Skywalker! And were shocked when Vader claimed to be the hero's father! Doesn't an emotional response from a child count, because it's a child? Or does emotional resonance mean I have to cry because some fuckin' ship sinks? Or does emotional response mean I have to feel bitternes? Because a lot of people think, a movie/book isn't worth a thing when it doesn't evoke a bad emotion (which is sad). When a movie puts dreams in the minds of millions of viewers the emotional response is invredibly strong.
CHUD-guys, don't be so bitter about everything!
And the winner is…Tim at #18. Best post here. "Tell me about shot composure, tell me about lighting, tell me about the wonderful acting job…all I want to know was is the movie ENTERTAINING or not". Cuz lord knows shot composure, lighting, and acting have NOTHING to do with making a film entertaining. I tried to contemplate a mindset that thinks talking about perfomances in a film is elitist bullshit but my brain folded in on itself under the weight of the idiocy. I also adore people who log on to a site dedicated to offering opinion and editorial commentary on film news and then excoriate the writers for doing just that. Oh, and Devin's never made a movie. Good one!! Neither did 99% of anyone who's ever loved film enough to write about it. Different disciplines. In a related story, Michiko Kakutani never wrote a bestseller and Robert Hughes probably hasn't even painted a house. Come back when you graduate junior high.
I could give a shit about Star Wars, but American Graffiti is a great film and the Dazed and Confused of its day. THX 1138 is greatness too.
I think Devin believes himself a nerd, and is taking his shame out on Mr. Lucas for feeding his habits. His vitriol directed at Star Wars is equal to a fan boy's reverence. I bet Johnny Boy on the street doesn't have such a passionate opinion on this multi-millionaire's neuroses.
Lucas is a fucking cunt but I feel sorry for the guy.
@ Devin
"Thank you Grace, I think your wrong."
Devin, really, you need to find a new day job. Saying that Lucas isn't a great "film maker"??? Seriously, you need to find a new job. Lucas is great. Go watch THX, or even his early short films from USC. He is a great filmmaker. Now, as far as a script writter, and casting choices go, yes, that leave much to be desired. But, to look at what he can put visualy onto the screen, is awe inspiring, and to not admit that shows your level of ignorance and arogance. Devin, I can pretty much be assured, that if Lucas was never around, this website, as well as your "oh" to funny one liners regarding films, wouldn't be around. It takes a real man to create something Devin, all you do is "review" peoples art, and last time I checked, that doesn't even account for .01% of the talent these men have.
Alright, Devin. We get it .
You don't like George Lucas or Star Wars. Move on, man.
Think about it, your journalistic contribution to CHUD for the day was reporting on someone else's interview with Lucas and then proceeding to remind everybody that you didn't dig STAR WARS as much as everybody else. I'm not saying this out of some messianic love of STAR WARS or Lucas, but I AM saying it because it's boring as hell. You're capable of writing some good stuff, but this pseudo-Carlinesque "cranky old geek" stuff has become cliche.
And that goes double for the " I hated BATMAN BEGINS" shit, too.
Devin. I'm usually right there with you on your posts (except the fanboy hate tirades), but you got it wrong on this one. As stated above, Star Wars is right there with the Wizard of Oz, Dracula, and Frankenstein, and will still be watched 100 years from now. Just the other day, I went to pick up my 8 year old son from school, and there was a group of boys talking about the finer points of lightsabers, just like I did with my friends 30 years ago. As much as I love it, only film buffs and mob genre fans will still be watching The Godfather in 100 years. Star Wars may likely still be active in what ever media exists at that time. I bet no one thought Superman or Batman would be around for as long as they have….
You would think being part of that gang of "film brats" that ruled the '70's, would have kept him competitive with, if not all his contemporaries, his closest friends(i.e. Spielberg, Scorsese). He seems to no longer burn with any sorta fire or passion. (At least DePalma, Schrader, Milius, Cimino, Bogdonavich went down in a glorious blaze; unafraid to fail/and Coppala has wine) Not only has he not done an art film or anything of note, but he won't let go or walk away from his magnum opus. There's something not only artisticly stale, but creepy, about revisiting and tinkering with the OT(over and over again). Let it go, George. Let it go.
No one will be watching Star Wars? Are you retarded Devin? No one will be watching the most popular movie of all time that happens to be timeless. This film snob bullshit from you gets funnier every day. No wonder so many people make fun of you.
Well of course George isn't a great filmmaker not even the best scriptwriter. He's an editor. Visually he knows what he wants.
But the idea's that were close to him he managed with the right people to develop into fine movies (the original Star wars and American Graffiti are the best examples of this). People going to watch Star wars 100, 200 years from now but i have to agree with Devin on one thing: Lucas will never be put or on the same level as Coppola. (Even though: when was the last time that Coppola delivered a really great movie)
"Luke, use the Force!" delivered by world-class actor Alec Guiness. That's what the pre-quels needed, genuine actors, and the spiritual(not religious or political) undertone. "StarWars" will be remembered for the entire Sabbath millenium, by we zippy-zippy aliens in the terres-trial suits of the humanoid lifey-test, relagated to this earthy-hell, from our fallen-from-Heaven shame, leaping from monkey-suit to monkey-suit, running from our devil-voice to Venus-choice, to at last become goodie-goodie JEsus-DIsciples. Watch the sky-sky aliens. Death to the 'self'.
No rice for Henry Kissinger.
people what do you expect devin supported the ira untill a bunch of real irish people handed him his ass. he bitcihes about vidoe games but i bet he will be on g4 next week. his head is up his ass 24/7 but dont lump the rest of the guys on this site with him.
Lucas endured something that no filmmaker in history has ever endured – and that's to create something so great and so profitible, that he never needed to worry about others' opinions again. Unfortunately, film needs checks and balances (there were plenty of creative battles on the set of Star Wars) and so Lucas' recent work is quite a mess. But to actually say that The F'ing Godfather will be more important than Star Wars in a hundred years is maybe one of the most misguided predictions in the history of film. Star Wars is a great great movie with amazing characters and one of the best "big-budget" screenplays of all time. I'm sorry Devin but this statement seems based more in your vitriol for Lucas than in any sort of reality. I'm glad to see the majority of talkbackers called you on it.
Faraci, as always, you are a talentless hack who should never write another word again, for the benefit of humanity.
You express the keen foresight of all the studios that passed on Star Wars before it got to Fox.
lucas does nothing for me, but hey, i'm a star trek fan
StarWars help to Pioneer certain Special FX shots and methods, as well as latex animatronic's and many other things. It will still be watched 100 years from now and it borrows so much of it's plot from myth- and that alone will put it into classes in schools for ages to come. The farmboy, the return sword of a fallen hero to his son, the force, the empire, the evil ones father… Lucas is an artist, he's just not a struggling one anymore, and thats why you don't see much from him. The drive is gone. But maybe he has one more new tale left in him. The Redtails project doesn't really concern me Showtime did an excellent docoflick on the T'men.. I don't care to see another.. Wish Lucas would make his version of Fantasia.
I'll take RUMBLE FISH over anything Lucas ever did or will do.
Holy shit look what happens when you even appear to piss on Star Wars. But he isn't, he's pissing on Lucas. I mean c'mon Lucas is pretty talentless as a filmmaker. Star Wars was always better as a concept than it was as actual realized movies. I can't wait for that old bastard to die off so someone with real vision can take over the reigns. When they finally (and inevitably) remake Star Wars, we'll all forget all six of these inspiring, but ultimately very flawed and silly movies. I just hope we can clone Harrison Ford for the reboot. Hell let's clone Ewan McGregor too. Viola, everything worth a shit about those movies is either in those two guys or can be recreated in an ILM workstation. Die Lucas die!
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