Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release)
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rodneyfaile
Sr Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Is Speilberg a yes-man? I remember Lucas had a showing of the Phantom Menace for Speilberg and his other friends before it was released. Did no one say anything to him?
Is Speilberg a yes-man? I remember Lucas had a showing of the Phantom Menace for Speilberg and his other friends before it was released. Did no one say anything to him?
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
I remember The Berg saying he saw a cut of the final sequences, or something like that.
I'm guessing GL showed him a rough version of the "duel of the fates" sequence with the 3 scenes intercutting that builds to the end. Just seeing that portion of TPM would have given the impression of a better movie than it was in entirety.
I remember The Berg saying he saw a cut of the final sequences, or something like that.
I'm guessing GL showed him a rough version of the "duel of the fates" sequence with the 3 scenes intercutting that builds to the end. Just seeing that portion of TPM would have given the impression of a better movie than it was in entirety.
jme3
Sr Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
It was definitely finding the first Zahn SW novel in the library that got me wowed about SW again so long ago. Not necessarily the story itself, just finally seeing something, anything again in the SW universe and being able to revisit it after the years of drought. But now that we've been back in the "legitimate" SW universe of GL's imagination after all these years (prequels not completely withstanding...), they can leave anything to do with the EU out it for me. We'll inevitably have another author's interpretations, but hopefully within the framework of the classic setting and at least some of the classic characters.
And good riddance to Rick McCallum. He was pretty useless and could've been replaced long ago with someone from Maids-R-Us.
It was definitely finding the first Zahn SW novel in the library that got me wowed about SW again so long ago. Not necessarily the story itself, just finally seeing something, anything again in the SW universe and being able to revisit it after the years of drought. But now that we've been back in the "legitimate" SW universe of GL's imagination after all these years (prequels not completely withstanding...), they can leave anything to do with the EU out it for me. We'll inevitably have another author's interpretations, but hopefully within the framework of the classic setting and at least some of the classic characters.
And good riddance to Rick McCallum. He was pretty useless and could've been replaced long ago with someone from Maids-R-Us.
Zombie_61
Master Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Without detailed analysis, I don't think it's possible to say with any absolute certainty that one marketing element was more responsible for "keeping Star Wars alive" than another. Every aspect of merchandising--the books, the video games, the toys, the tee shirts, the model kits, the prop replicas, etc.--found an audience and contributed to the continued interest.
Fandom being what it is, I suspect there would have been at least a little interest even if none of those products existed. The fans maintained the interest in Star Wars; the merchandise just kept us distracted until the next movie or television project came along.
Without detailed analysis, I don't think it's possible to say with any absolute certainty that one marketing element was more responsible for "keeping Star Wars alive" than another. Every aspect of merchandising--the books, the video games, the toys, the tee shirts, the model kits, the prop replicas, etc.--found an audience and contributed to the continued interest.
Fandom being what it is, I suspect there would have been at least a little interest even if none of those products existed. The fans maintained the interest in Star Wars; the merchandise just kept us distracted until the next movie or television project came along.
JD
Master Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Here we go... rushing to judgement again.
Frankly, MacCallum always seemed like a tool to me in what I've seen of him in a public light. But, he was doing a job... it was his job to promote Star Wars and Lucas' vision. If anyone in an organization like Lucasfilm is going to talk smack, well.. they're not going to have a job for long.
He produced the movies, he didn't write, cast or direct them. It's doubtful we'll ever know the extent of any influence he had of George Lucas personally. But, Lucas has been around long enough to not let a yes man pull one over on him. I'm sure McCallum was kept around for getting thing's that George wanted done done.
Unless someone can prove it wrong; he did not create Jar Jar, he didn't kill Maul off, he didn't make Greedo shoot first, and he didn't make Vader howl "Nooo."
All you're doing is creating a scapegoat.
Here we go... rushing to judgement again.
Frankly, MacCallum always seemed like a tool to me in what I've seen of him in a public light. But, he was doing a job... it was his job to promote Star Wars and Lucas' vision. If anyone in an organization like Lucasfilm is going to talk smack, well.. they're not going to have a job for long.
He produced the movies, he didn't write, cast or direct them. It's doubtful we'll ever know the extent of any influence he had of George Lucas personally. But, Lucas has been around long enough to not let a yes man pull one over on him. I'm sure McCallum was kept around for getting thing's that George wanted done done.
Unless someone can prove it wrong; he did not create Jar Jar, he didn't kill Maul off, he didn't make Greedo shoot first, and he didn't make Vader howl "Nooo."
All you're doing is creating a scapegoat.
seelsa73
Sr Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
If the original cast is going to be in the movies, i find it hard to believe it would be for only 1 or 2 scenes. I'm not saying they will be the main focus again, but certainly not in what would amount to a mere cameo. I can see them as supporting characters like Yoda and Mace Windu were (although considering Harrison's Ford long-time stance on his SW character, Han will most likely be killed off in the first movie, unfortunately, a la Obi-Wan in Episode IV)
If the original cast is going to be in the movies, i find it hard to believe it would be for only 1 or 2 scenes. I'm not saying they will be the main focus again, but certainly not in what would amount to a mere cameo. I can see them as supporting characters like Yoda and Mace Windu were (although considering Harrison's Ford long-time stance on his SW character, Han will most likely be killed off in the first movie, unfortunately, a la Obi-Wan in Episode IV)
Edwardowan
Sr Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Hey Rich if you want to join us there is a thread on the Clone Wars cartoon that this topic would be great over there as we are off topic and hijacked this thread on episode VII... I think its easy to accept that a war especially on a galactic level could easily chronicle more than 60 or 70 events. Wouldn't be much of a war otherwise but you may have more members that side with you in that thread perhaps? :thumbsup
You are obviously a staunch defender of the animated stuff, and i'd love to see your well thought out definitive timeline.opcorn
Notice i wasn't rude? Nor condescending?
Rich
Hey Rich if you want to join us there is a thread on the Clone Wars cartoon that this topic would be great over there as we are off topic and hijacked this thread on episode VII... I think its easy to accept that a war especially on a galactic level could easily chronicle more than 60 or 70 events. Wouldn't be much of a war otherwise but you may have more members that side with you in that thread perhaps? :thumbsup
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Whether he was actually good for Lucas and the films is another question. Sometimes talent works best with a gun to his head and people questioning him on certain things.
But you are describing exactly what a yes-man is. Someone who does something at someone else' bidding unquestionably and will defend it. There's no scapegoating being done here. McCallum was a yes-man, 'cause he defended the films and Lucas' vision unquestionably. One cannot fault him for being passionate and he did his job marvelously - he helped Lucas create exactly what he wanted.
Whether he was actually good for Lucas and the films is another question. Sometimes talent works best with a gun to his head and people questioning him on certain things.
Solo4114
Master Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Actually, while I'm glad to see the departure of a particular yes-man, I do agree that if it hadn't been him, it would've been someone else. He was brought on to do a job -- namely to be George's Mr. Fixit and to implement his boss' vision. He did that. If we have issues with the vision, that's not McCallum's fault.
One interesting (well, to me anyway) question, though, is how much influence flowed back and forth between McCallum and Lucas. If McCallum basically functioned as a "general contractor" for Lucas' "house," then I wonder just how much time he spent trying to convince George of this or that thing (the way general contractors often do).
I suppose it could go either way, really. McCallum could've simply been the guy who makes what Lucas wants happen, or he could've been that plus a guy who convinced Lucas how those things needed to happen. E.g., Lucas says "Jar-Jar will be a loveable character, with his silly antics. The kids are gonna love him." McCallum then says "Yeah, and you know what would really help with that? A funny voice or accent." Or, did was it where George said "I want him to have a funny voice or accent. Give me three to choose from and I'll pick one," and Rick said "On it, boss," then brings in Ahmed Best and a few others to audition for the part.
Regardless, McCallum, while functioning as an incarnation of many of the issues people have with the franchise in recent years, was not the guy responsible for the vision of the company. And even if he was, George ultimately is the guy who tapped him to do it. The buck stops at Skywalker Ranch, not at the LucasFilm C-suite.
Actually, while I'm glad to see the departure of a particular yes-man, I do agree that if it hadn't been him, it would've been someone else. He was brought on to do a job -- namely to be George's Mr. Fixit and to implement his boss' vision. He did that. If we have issues with the vision, that's not McCallum's fault.
One interesting (well, to me anyway) question, though, is how much influence flowed back and forth between McCallum and Lucas. If McCallum basically functioned as a "general contractor" for Lucas' "house," then I wonder just how much time he spent trying to convince George of this or that thing (the way general contractors often do).
I suppose it could go either way, really. McCallum could've simply been the guy who makes what Lucas wants happen, or he could've been that plus a guy who convinced Lucas how those things needed to happen. E.g., Lucas says "Jar-Jar will be a loveable character, with his silly antics. The kids are gonna love him." McCallum then says "Yeah, and you know what would really help with that? A funny voice or accent." Or, did was it where George said "I want him to have a funny voice or accent. Give me three to choose from and I'll pick one," and Rick said "On it, boss," then brings in Ahmed Best and a few others to audition for the part.
Regardless, McCallum, while functioning as an incarnation of many of the issues people have with the franchise in recent years, was not the guy responsible for the vision of the company. And even if he was, George ultimately is the guy who tapped him to do it. The buck stops at Skywalker Ranch, not at the LucasFilm C-suite.
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Lucas didn't hire him as a creatively involved kind of producer. He hired him as more of a "line producer", the guy who hires crews and does schedules and books soundstages. By all accounts he ran an efficient and happy ship when it comes to film production.
It was when there wasn't much production going on is when he seemed a hangar-on. He's probably in a lot of publicity and behind-the-scenes stuff simply because GL doesn't like doing that crap. Like a couple of you said, he can't be blamed for doing exactly what he was hired to do. We all would like George to have hired another Gary Kurtz, but that just was never going to happen.
Lucas didn't hire him as a creatively involved kind of producer. He hired him as more of a "line producer", the guy who hires crews and does schedules and books soundstages. By all accounts he ran an efficient and happy ship when it comes to film production.
It was when there wasn't much production going on is when he seemed a hangar-on. He's probably in a lot of publicity and behind-the-scenes stuff simply because GL doesn't like doing that crap. Like a couple of you said, he can't be blamed for doing exactly what he was hired to do. We all would like George to have hired another Gary Kurtz, but that just was never going to happen.
madmikeee
Sr Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
Clearly the DECADES of fans screaming that Lucas should not be within 200 feet of a directors chair didn't impact it either.:lol
Clearly the DECADES of fans screaming that Lucas should not be within 200 feet of a directors chair didn't impact it either.:lol
The Militian
New Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
I'm just saying my opinion. The EU is as good as the original movies.
3jack
Well-Known Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
I'd love the next film to reveal that Luke and Leia weren't actually brother and Sister (I still don't buy that Lucas had a whole saga planned out when he was making A new hope).
They could reveal Luke's sister is a part of the dark side or something. I don't know where you go with that maybe have her or someone close to her kill off Han so Ford gets his wish. Can't be any worse of an idea than bringing back Vader for me.
I'd love the next film to reveal that Luke and Leia weren't actually brother and Sister (I still don't buy that Lucas had a whole saga planned out when he was making A new hope).
They could reveal Luke's sister is a part of the dark side or something. I don't know where you go with that maybe have her or someone close to her kill off Han so Ford gets his wish. Can't be any worse of an idea than bringing back Vader for me.
seelsa73
Sr Member
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
To the first part; highly doubtful, and not a good idea IMHO.
To the second part: we all can believe what we want, but nothing can be proven one way or another when all we have to go by is GL's say-so. Personally, i think the whole saga was planned out in at least very basic detail before ANH, Meaning, darth vader = anakin skywalker, luke and leia = brother and sister, so on and so forth. IDK y people think otherwise besides the fact that it's their personal preference that the opposite be true, so they say he made it all up as he went along.
To the first part; highly doubtful, and not a good idea IMHO.
To the second part: we all can believe what we want, but nothing can be proven one way or another when all we have to go by is GL's say-so. Personally, i think the whole saga was planned out in at least very basic detail before ANH, Meaning, darth vader = anakin skywalker, luke and leia = brother and sister, so on and so forth. IDK y people think otherwise besides the fact that it's their personal preference that the opposite be true, so they say he made it all up as he went along.
Re: Star Wars Episode VII
You couldn't be more right JD. McCallum was a YES MAN because that's what Lucas hired him to be - and guess what, if he wasn't saying YES - there were plenty of other people out who would be happy to. Marcia was the only one who could ever control George - she left between Empire and Jedi and you can see the difference.
You have to remember George paid for these movies out of pocket so there was no one who could tell him a darn thing - Heck - your shoes are untied might get you fired. I've heard so many stories about George from Scott Ross and there is no one to blame for the way the prequels turned out other than George.
You couldn't be more right JD. McCallum was a YES MAN because that's what Lucas hired him to be - and guess what, if he wasn't saying YES - there were plenty of other people out who would be happy to. Marcia was the only one who could ever control George - she left between Empire and Jedi and you can see the difference.
You have to remember George paid for these movies out of pocket so there was no one who could tell him a darn thing - Heck - your shoes are untied might get you fired. I've heard so many stories about George from Scott Ross and there is no one to blame for the way the prequels turned out other than George.
Contec
Master Member
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