Star Wars" fans are striking back. A new documentary premiering Saturday at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas explores the rocky relationship between fans of the six-part "Star Wars" film series and the man who created it, George Lucas. The film, "The People vs. George Lucas," is generating substantial buzz -- especially from fans who know the difference between a mynock and a taun-taun.
The story may come as a surprise to those who've seen throngs of rabid fans dressing up as their favorite "Star Wars" characters and lining up weeks in advance to see Lucas' latest film. But it's often been a love-hate relationship for fans who feel the "Star Wars" universe belongs to them as much as Lucas.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, "The People vs. George Lucas" director Alexandre O. Philippe discusses the disconnect between fans and Lucas.
"George Lucas made Star Wars; but it was the fans who turned it into a seemingly undying worldwide phenomenon," Philippe said. And those fans have long had gripes with how Lucas told the story.
The controversy stems in part from Lucas' constant tinkering with the original trilogy. In 1997, Lucas released "Special Editions" of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi." All three featured special-effects upgrades and numerous plot changes, the most controversial change being a scene in the first film that now depicts an alien named Greedo shooting at Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in a cantina before Solo fires back, killing Greedo. In the original film, Greedo never fires upon Solo. Fans argue that Lucas' small change completely alters the arc of a main character from a heartless mercenary to a guy only acting in self-defense. This one change has inspired an entire movement, including T-shirts with the words "Han shot first." Lucas was even seen wearing one of these T-shirts on the set of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
Other major points of contention include the casting of Anakin Skywalker, various plot twists, and the creation of Jar Jar Binks, a character openly hated by many "Star Wars" devotees.
But even Lucas' harshest critics would agree that the first two films of the series to be released, "Star Wars" (or, as Lucas would now want you to call it, "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope") and "The Empire Strikes Back" are especially well-made films. It's often overlooked that "Star Wars" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977 (it lost to "Annie Hall") and that Alec Guinness was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi (he lost to Jason Robards for his role in "Julia"). "Empire" currently ranks ninth on IMDB's list of the greatest films of all time.
Lucas' critics will also be the first to mention that "Empire" -- considered by fans to be the best film in the series -- was directed by Irvin Kershner, not Lucas. Of the six films, Lucas had the least to do with "Empire," often clashing with Kershner over the dark tone of the film. The character-driven plot of "Empire" all but disappeared for 1983's "Return of the Jedi." By the time "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" premiered in 1999, acting was an afterthought to the computer-generated effects -- a theme that continued throughout the three prequels.
Fans have long complained that Lucas is out of touch as a director. The gritty young director responsible for "THX 1138" and "American Graffiti" is long gone. After "Star Wars," Lucas took a 22-year hiatus from directing. As James Cameron proved with "Avatar," a long hiatus doesn't automatically mean disaster. Lucas' return film, "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace", grossed over $900 million worldwide, but, as fans and "The People vs. George Lucas" director Philippe argue, it never recaptured the magic of the original trilogy.
Nevertheless, Phillippe says his film didn't change his feelings about Lucas. "I still have the same respect and admiration for him," he tells EW. [/b][center]
Subject: The People vs. George Lucas 
Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:39 pm