George Lucas

Concept Art from Failed WILLOW Animated Series

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 27th, 2012 at 3:46 pm

The 1988 Lucasfilm fantasy Willow apparently had aspirations for the small screen as an animated series. We’ll blame the lackluster box office for the failure of the project, but we can still take a look at some concept art that was drafted along the way. Directed by Ron Howard and written by George Lucas, the feature film followed the dwarf-like character Willow (Warwick Davis), barbarian Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and warrior princess Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) as they attempted to protect an infant from the diabolical plans of an evil queen (Jean Marsh). It’s a classic swords-and-sorcery flick with some great moments; it even managed to garner two Academy Award nominations (for Sound Effects Editing and Visual Effects). While it’s a shame that I can’t relive the childhood memories of watching an animated Willow on Saturday mornings, these images provide a nice glimpse of what could have been. Hit the jump to check them out.

Tribeca Film Picks Up Keanu Reeves’ Film vs. Digital Documentary SIDE BY SIDE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 13th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

The documentary Side by Side is certainly one of the most interesting projects I’ve learned about in the past few months, and now it looks as though the film will be heading to a theater near you this summer. Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired North American rights to the documentary produced and presented by Keanu Reeves. The film explores the evolving landscape of filmmaking, specifically the advent of digital and how its popularity affects traditional filmmaking. While that subject matter alone is worth exploring, Reeves and director Chris Kenneally sat down with nearly every master filmmaker working today to get their musings on the future of moviemaking.

Side by Side features interviews with James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Stephen Soderbergh, the Wachowskis, and many, many more. You can watch the trailer right here. Tribeca Film is planning a multi-platform summer release for the pic, followed by a broadcast premiere early next year in addition to screenings at college campuses and film schools across the country. The film is having its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Tons of Images and Info on Hasbro’s 2012 STAR WARS Toys; Will You Give George Lucas More Money?

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: February 11th, 2012 at 7:23 pm

If you’re a toy collector, the beginning of February is always circled on your calendar.  That’s because every year, around this time, New York City hosts a huge toy show for industry insiders called Toy Fair.  During the convention, toy manufacturers from around the world display all their upcoming products and it’s a great preview of what’s to come later in the year.

Just a little while ago, I posted tons of Avengers movie toys and G.I. Joe: Retaliation toys.  Now I’ve got a crazy amount of Star Wars toys coming in 2012.  While I’ve tried to curtail giving George Lucas anymore of my money, I’ll admit some of the figures and vehicles look cool.  Hit the jump for all the images and the product descriptions and let me know in the comments if you still buy Star Wars toys or might this year.

Editorial: It’s Time to Make Peace with STAR WARS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 10th, 2012 at 10:55 am

Why do people still get outraged about Star Wars?  What’s the point?  People get upset at the Blu-rays.  They get upset when George Lucas opens his mouth.  They get upset when the prequels are even acknowledged.  They lose their freaking minds if you say “Greedo Shot First”.  We’ve been having these discussions since 1997 when the special editions arrived.  Now whenever the opportunity arises, we keep dredging up old controversies.  It’s time to let them go.

George Lucas Addresses Changes to STAR WARS; Maintains Greedo Shot First

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 9th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace opens yet again this Friday, and the film is destined to make even more money because all the marketing for the 3D re-release has been aimed directly at kids. Even the junket interviews were conducted by children (you can watch our interviews here, here, and here). George Lucas hasn’t given too many interviews regarding the 3D release, but one hit today that’s sure to grind fanboy gear. During the discussion, Lucas defends the edits he’s made to the Star Wars saga, and specifically addresses CGI Yoda and why Greedo shot first. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

First Trailer for Film vs. Digital Doc SIDE BY SIDE Featuring Interviews with Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and More

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

A little over a week ago, a curious little documentary was announced called Side by Side. The project, spearheaded by Keanu Reeves, features interviews with a number of master filmmakers regarding the film vs. digital debate. Now the first trailer for the film has popped up and Side by Side is officially one of my most anticipated movies of 2012. The trailer showcases Reeves having candid conversations about the death of film (and the advent of 3D) with people like George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Steven Soderbergh. It looks incredibly intriguing, and I can’t wait to hear today’s foremost filmmakers weigh in on the future of moviemaking.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer. Side by Side will be released sometime this year.

Producer Rick McCallum Talks RED TAILS and Live-Action STAR WARS TV Series; Describes Show as “EMPIRE STRIKES BACK on Steroids”

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 18th, 2012 at 11:40 am

Opening this weekend is director Anthony Hemingway‘s World War II action-drama Red Tails.  Produced by George Lucas and Rick McCallum, the movie is based on the real-life story of the first all African-American squadron and their fight to defend our country.  They were given second-hand planes and the most dangerous missions, and it makes their story all the more incredible. Red Tails stars Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Bryan Cranston, Brandon T. Jackson, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelly, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith, Rick Otto, Daniela Ruah, and Michael B. Jordan.

Last week I did an exclusive phone interview with McCallum. During our wide ranging conversation we talked about LucasFilm’s two decade quest to make Red Tails, how advances in technology helped make the film possible, the 11.1 sound mix, and what being a producer really means.  In addition, with McCallum producing the live-action Star Wars TV series (Star Wars: Underworld), he talked about what fans can look forward to, why it’s still not filming, and revealed “It’s Empire on steroids.”  Finally, we also talked about Lucas’ future as a director, what props he owns, whether or not the 3D release of The Phantom Menace is the same cut that’s on the Blu-ray, if we’ll ever see the original trilogy on Blu-ray without any corrections, and so much more.  Hit the jump to either read or listen to what he had to say.

George Lucas Claims He’s Ready to Retire from Blockbuster Filmmaking; Producer Rick McCallum Says Lucas is Taking a Break

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 17th, 2012 at 1:51 pm

George Lucas is ready to retire, again. Though he previously threatened retirement before launching into the Star Wars prequels, the director’s 20-year passion project Red Tails is finally hitting theaters this month, and with that Lucas says he’s basically done:

“I’m retiring. I’m moving away from the business, from the company, from all this kind of stuff.”

That “stuff” would be blockbusters, and Lucas seems to be taking a page out of Francis Ford Coppola’s book and says he’s ready to move on to more personal material. Hit the jump for more, including what Lucas had to say to critics of his Star Wars tampering.

TOP 5: New STAR WARS Live-Action Series Details, CONTRABAND, WARM BODIES, Cinemath, Our TCA Winter Press Tour Coverage

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am

I have to say that I can’t wait to check out Steven Soderbergh‘s actioner Haywire. Everything I’ve seen from it thus far has looked great and the positivity pouring out from early reviews only supports my belief that the entire pic will deliver. Whether it be the stellar cast, the proclaimed breakout performance from Gina Carano, or Soderbergh’s top-notch action sequences, I fully expect to be talking about Haywire right here again next week in a little “Before & After” discussion. In the meantime…

…This week’s “Top 5″ brings you some new details regarding the long-gestating Star Wars live-action television series, Contraband interviews with Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, and more, the first official images from Jonathan Levine‘s (50/50) Warm Bodies, a “Cinemath” feature that analyzes the 2011 box office, and all of our coverage from the 2011 Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter Press Tour. Hit the jump for brief recaps and links to each.

Rick McCallum Talks Tone and Logistics of Live-Action STAR WARS TV Series; Describes it as “EMPIRE STRIKES BACK on Steroids”

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 11th, 2012 at 6:42 pm

Everybody knows the name George Lucas. Whether you love or hate the guy, his name is instantly recognizable and sends off the first few notes of John Williams’ Star Wars score in your head. Another name you may or may not know is Rick McCallum. McCallum’s relationship with Lucas began on the early 1990s TV series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, after which Lucas tapped McCallum to produce the three Star Wars prequels. Steve recently talked with McCallum to discuss the World War II action-adventure pic Red Tails (which Lucas and McCallum produced), and while we’ll have the full interview up closer to the film’s release, we wanted to share a few tidbits with you today.

McCallum talked at length about the long-in-the-works live-action Star Wars TV series, discussing the show’s tone, the logistics of doing an effects-heavy series on television, how soon the show might come to fruition, and a lot more. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

STAR WARS Live-Action Series May be Titled STAR WARS: UNDERWORLD; Plus Other Details

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: January 9th, 2012 at 6:00 pm

With George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace set to be the first of the 3D re-releases in little more than a month, you might be thinking to yourself, “Gee, there really isn’t anything more they can do in the Star Wars universe that I haven’t already seen.” Well, your self would be wrong. The long-developing Star Wars TV series may be no closer to production but it does at least have a working title: Star Wars: Underworld. This fits in with the previous plot details having to do with a Godfather-like storyline set in the Star Wars universe.  Unfortunately, prequels producer Rick McCallum confirmed that they’re still at the mercy of financial constraints and the inefficiency of ratings standards on network television. However, we do have a few tidbits of information on the series that Star Wars fans might find interesting. Hit the jump to see what they are.

Keanu Reeves Documentary SIDE BY SIDE Tackles Film vs. Digital Debate; Includes Interviews with Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and David Fincher

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 9th, 2012 at 11:10 am

A curious little website has popped up announcing a new documentary produced by Keanu Reeves that tackles one of the foremost issues facing filmmakers today: the advent of digital filmmaking. Entitled Side by Side, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the issue of film vs. digital, and “examines all aspects of filmmaking – from capture, to edit, to visual effects, to color correction, to distribution to archive.” Through interviews with numerous well-respected masters of the medium, Side by Side “explores what has been gained, what is lost and what the future might bring.” Take this sample quote from Christopher Nolan:

“No credible source really has been claiming to have invented something that is aesthetically superior to film at this point.”

The documentary will feature Reeves interviewing filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Lana and Andy Wachowski, George Lucas, James Cameron, Steven Soderbergh, and many more. Hit the jump for more details.

6 Movie Clips and 52 Images from George Lucas’ RED TAILS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: January 6th, 2012 at 10:41 pm

With director Anthony Hemingway‘s World War II action-drama Red Tails opening January 20, 20th Century Fox has provided us with six clips and fifty-two images from the film.  Produced by George Lucas, the movie is based on the real-life story of the first all African-American squadron and their fight to defend our country.  They were given second-hand planes and the most dangerous missions, and it makes their story all the more incredible.

I actually spoke to someone tonight that recently saw the film and they said the action scenes are incredible and the film was better than they expected.  Which is always good to hear.  Red Tails stars Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Bryan Cranston, Brandon T. Jackson, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelly, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith, Rick Otto, Daniela Ruah, and Michael B. Jordan.  Hit the jump to watch the clips.

George Lucas Knows the Genre, but Not the MacGuffin for INDIANA JONES 5

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 12th, 2011 at 7:24 pm

It’s time for your semi-regular update on the development of another Indiana Jones movie.  Earlier in the month, Steven Spielberg declared, “We have already agreed on the genre of the fifth movie.  We already have a concept in mind.”  According to series co-creator George Lucas, that concept is so far only the genre and the shell of a story.  Lucas followed up with Vulture:

“I told [Spielberg] about the story, but I really haven’t found the MacGuffin yet. I mean, I know what it’s about, but I just have to find a MacGuffin that fits into the arena we’re working in.”

I don’t think anyone will mind if Spielberg and Lucas take their time on this.  Well, maybe Paramount, since Kingdom of the Crystal Skull grossed $787 million worldwide and all that.  But for the rest of us, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  I am genuinely curious to see what Lucas comes up with for the MacGuffin, but I will be even curiouser a couple years down the road.  To try and ascertain some detail about the story, Vulture asked if Indy’s family would be featured.  Lucas laughed and replied, “Yeah, we’ll see!”  I’ll let you interpret that.

Steven Spielberg Talks Michael Bay Returning for TRANSFORMERS 4; Plus an Update on INDIANA JONES 5

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 2nd, 2011 at 3:56 pm

Director Steven Spielberg has two very different movies coming out this holiday season. One is a fun, animated action-adventure (The Adventures of Tintin), while the other is a very serious drama about World War I (War Horse). In anticipation of the release of those films, The Beard recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly. His full interview will run in the latest issue, but the director made some comments regarding Michael Bay returning for a fourth Transformers pic and gave an update on Indiana Jones 5, both of which are now available. In addition, he addressed recent discouraging comments he made about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Hit the jump to see what he had to say. 

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