Lucas "quitting big-budget films"

[John Crichton 4]

http://www.variety.com/VR1117951284.html

Discuss.

[bondo 33]

Michael Bay said he was interested in directing small, dramatic movies right around the time of Bad Boys 2. I don't have a link to the interview, but he said his next project would be small. Of course, his next two projects were The Island and Transformers....

[gkgyver 1,638]

Quantity over quality is it then?

Just when I think George Lucas is the shallowest person I know, he manages to suck a little more water out of the pool.

"We don't want to make movies. We're about to get into television. As far as Lucasfilm is concerned, we've moved away from the feature film thing, because it's too expensive and it's too risky.

"I think the secret to the future is quantity," Lucas told Daily Variety. "Because that's where it's going to end up."

[sarcasm]

I would think with Lucas as producer or director, pretty much any project is a big risk.

[/sarcasm]

[Damo 0]

Well that Lucas choice whether he wants to do now that he finished making Star Wars. In that article he said it himself that he wants to do TVs now not movies.

[Ollie 859]

So now he can make crappy small budget movies and TV shows.

But at least they haven't gotten anywhere on IJ IV which is good news.

[Damo 0]

According to IMDB he is directing Red Tails. Not sure if that a big budget film or not.

[Ollie 859]

Never put too much faith in the IMDB.

[Damo 0]

Never put too much faith in the IMDB.

I don't. I know they can have false informations.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

George Lucas will rape my childhood TV memories!

[pixie_twinkle 44]

I love how he still believes he is capable of making a great low-budget movie. He's been telling us for years that after Star Wars he will make small budget art-house pictures. I don't think he has the skill anymore! And interestingly he keeps finding other little jobs to do instead. "I will make a low budget art film after I finish the 3-D Star Wars". And now:

He calls himself "semi-retired" but reiterated his plans to direct "small movies, esoteric in nature," after his other projects are launched.

He will never direct a movie again if he keeps putting it off. And the idea of a stale old man trying to direct an art-film, without being able to hide behind layers of exciting effects makes me laugh. I honestly think he has way too big an opinion of his skills at this point. Either that or he knows full well he won't be able to direct a good low budget film and that's why he keeps putting it off.

[rocnathan 0]

Isn't Red Tails the one about the black fighter unit? I'd imagine what he would *try* is to make something like Hidden Fortress. What he'd end up making is something like Pearl Harbor. It's not even his fault, I guess, it's just that he probably can't think in any other dimension than ILM doing a second movie on top of the one he shoots. But, I just saw THX on TV the other day and so here's hpoing that he'll prove me wrong. :-)

[robthehand 3]

But, I just saw THX on TV the other day and so here's hpoing that he'll prove me wrong. :-)

Now that he has the money to do a big budget film, he could never make a film like that again, I think.

IMO part (if not all) the reason Star Wars (the film) worked so well, was that Lucas knew he couldn't be extravagant, he couldn't just throw ten billion dollars in ILM's general direction, and hope they'd make him a space battle. With Lucas, the bigger the budget of his films, the worse they get (IMO).

[sandman609 0]

George Lucas will rape my childhood TV memories!

Hahaha!

But really... I have been hearing this for a while now, and still nothing from him. I think pixie_twinkle might have it right. Or maybe he's realized he sucks as a director and is afraid to try again, but his ego won't let him say that.

[rocnathan 0]

Now that he has the money to do a big budget film, he could never make a film like that again, I think.

With Lucas, the bigger the budget of his films, the worse they get (IMO).

I think he did some decent low-budget stuff. I know evenrybody thinks it's just awful, but I always kind of liked Radioland Murders for that weird 40s energy. His movies will always have that B-movie quality to them, but I think he could do a small movie - provided it at least had a car chase :-P

But, yeah, very probaly he'll just go on writing star wars tv episodes until they pry the pen from his cold hand.

[Diego 21]

Couldn't we just give the benefit of the doubt to the man?? Whatever you think of the prequels and sequels he did make the original Star Wars. I think people should wait until whatever proyect he is involved next comes out before you trash him.

[Romão 1,931]

If Polansky had directed the prequels, the words "raped my childhood" would have a whole new meaning.

[Greg1138 2]

If Polansky had directed the prequels, the words "raped my childohood" would have a whole new meaning.

LOL

[Luke Skywalker 1,284]

Indy IV for TV??!!

Aw, i was waiting for the red tails movie. I wanted to see WWII aircraft in action

[pixie_twinkle 44]

Couldn't we just give the benefit of the doubt to the man??

How many more chances should we give him? Trust me, I would give him the benefit of the doubt if there was a doubt. But there really isn't anymore.

I think people should wait until whatever proyect he is involved next comes out before you trash him.

We do that too.

[Vaderbait1 1]

People, you're a little bitter and ignorant. Lucas used special effects to help tell a special effects story. Just because he did that doesn't mean he'd make some art-house movie with big special effects. Jesus.

And as far as quantity: He obviously has some creative juices, and feels he can express more of them through TV than huge investments in big-budget feature films.

It's not about giving him the benefit of the doubt. It's about letting the man do what he damn well pleases with his life and coming off your high horse of prejudice.

[Diego 21]

What about giving him a chance outside of Star Wars? I understand why many of you don't like the prequels, but they're all SW movies and if you didn't like Ep.1 well chances are you're not going to like what follows, since all 3 were going to follow the same storyline, the same style, etc. Star Wars is the only thing he's been involved for years, let's wait after he does something else and then if it's crap, then say it's crap, I think he could surprise us, most likely he wont, but he could.

[pixie_twinkle 44]

It's not about giving him the benefit of the doubt. It's about letting the man do what he damn well pleases with his life and coming off your high horse of prejudice.

As an artist he makes movies and puts them out there for our consideration. As his public we consider his works. It's the same in all walks of life. No matter what job you have your work gets judged. I am not prejudiced against him, just disappointed in his work of late. As for letting his do what he damn well pleases, I'm not trying to stop him!

[Ollie 859]

Indy IV for TV??!!

Aw, i was waiting for the red tails movie. I wanted to see WWII  aircraft in action

Nowhere in there did it say IJ was going to be a TV movie.

People, you're a little bitter and ignorant. Lucas used special effects to help tell a special effects story. Just because he did that doesn't mean he'd make some art-house movie with big special effects. Jesus.

Nobody is implying Lucas would use big special effects for low budget films. Sheesh.

[Saxman717 21]

LOL ---- Quantity over Quality ---- he basically summed up the whole prequel trilogy, and his whole misguided philosophy.

Who wants to stick up for old Flannel George now?

For the FINAL time:

-Great Storyteller

-Lousy Director

-Lousy PR-handler

-Misguided Billionaire

[gkgyver 1,638]

I'd rearrange that:

- lousy storyteller

- great PR- handler

His stories might be interesting and good, but the way he tells them in the movies is anything but great.

[tpigeon 3]

That Star Wars was just awful.

Ted

[Red 73]

I doubt that Lucas will ever separate himself from Star Wars. He may always be remembered just for that.

[King Mark 2,924]

I only want Indy 4 made for a new Williams score.

K.M.Who has nothing else to add

[Composer_Fan 2]

Does anyone remember Williams suggesting an opera at the Lucas tribute?

~Tyler, frightened and intrigued at the same time at that prospect....

[Vaderbait1 1]

Quantity over Quality ---- he basically summed up the whole prequel trilogy, and his whole misguided philosophy.

But you should knw he didn't mean it like that. He probably views TV as a way to get as many of his stories out as he can. He's obviously very creative, he's got a few years left in him. If he stuck to movies he could pump one out every what, year? But if he works in TV, he can be hands on and create hundreds of stories before he retires/dies.

Anyone would make the same choice in his shoes.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

That Star Wars was just awful.

Ted

even a broken clock is right twice a day.

[Damo 0]

George Lucas believes that the days of the blockbuster are over.

Do you believe that? the blockbusters movies are over?

[Saxman717 21]

Quantity over Quality ---- he basically summed up the whole prequel trilogy, and his whole misguided philosophy.

But you should knw he didn't mean it like that. He probably views TV as a way to get as many of his stories out as he can. He's obviously very creative, he's got a few years left in him. If he stuck to movies he could pump one out every what, year? But if he works in TV, he can be hands on and create hundreds of stories before he retires/dies.

Anyone would make the same choice in his shoes.

"But if you choose the quick and easy path......." YOU finish the quote! It came from his own story! What a hippocrite

[Ollie 859]

Damo that was the purpose of John starting this thread.

Your link is just another version of what John posted.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

George Lucas believes that the days of the blockbuster are over.

Do you believe that? the blockbusters movies are over?

I actually hope he is right.

Big budget blockbusters generally play it to safe and try to cater to the tastes of too broad an audience.

[Romão 1,931]

I am only one who loved The Young Indiana Jones chronicles?

[rocnathan 0]

Does anyone remember Williams suggesting an opera at the Lucas tribute?

~Tyler, frightened and intrigued at the same time at that prospect....

Hahahaha

"Dr. Sayus Dr. Sayus, Dr. Sayus; Dr. Sayus Dr. Sayus, Dr. Sayus; Dr. Sayus Dr. Sayus, oooh, Dr. Sayus!"

I kinda like the idea.

[Sandor 459]

Well, it seems even Lucas doesn't view 3D Cinema as a means that could save the industry anymore.

But, the blockbuster is NOT dead. It's just that there are too many people in control of the studios who think they know the formula to a blockbuster, that they know the secret to a major hit movie. These same, usually old, stubborn, old-school type guys are the people who in the end are responsible for films like Godzilla, Pearl Harbor, Superman Returns, Batman And Robin, etc. Films that should be HUGE, but turn out to be disappointing at the box-office.

However; these same old, stubborn, old-school type guys would have probably told you prior to the release of Star Wars, E.T., Titanic, Shrek 2, The Sixth Sense, etc. that those movies would NOT be box-office champions. Why? Because not one of those movies followed the blue-print for a "hit" (at their time) as established by these goons.

There will still be blockbusters. But don't expect them to come from the Michael Bays or any other production that is controlled by people who follow the "rules" too much, who think they have unlocked the keys to a major hit-movie.

A true blockbuster monster hit is usually a surprise, unexpected. Sometimes a movie thought to be a financial disaster from the start (Titanic, Star Wars, etc.)

[Damo 0]

The only big thing that George Lucas has ever done is his Star Wars movies and that's about it and now he just finished making all his star wars movies and he now decides to quit big budget films....because he wants to do low budget film or TVs....just compare that to steven spielberg or any other people who had done heaps of films beside doing 6 films as a saga or series.

And how is blockbusters movies are over? Obviously he think his Star Wars movies is his only blockbusters. There other films which are considered to be blockbusters and pretty much new ones are just going to keep on coming and coming out in the future.

[Sandor 459]

I think Lucas is a little pissed off because, although the figures are great, the Prequel Trilogy was, in a way, commercially disappointing. Not one of the installments came close to rivaling Titanic and the fact that Shrek 2 did better than any of the prequels may have upset Lucas more than he is likely to admit.

However; I feel people are giving Lucas very little credit for his achievements. Sure he may "only" have done 6 films (not true considering he did THX, American Grafitti and a lot of work on The Indiana Jones Trilogy, Willow, Radioland Murders, etc.) But he also helped advanced the industry on the visual and audio department. Oh, and he put time in Games, educational programs, television, etc.

[Romão 1,931]

George Lucas also directed American Grafitti, which is in AFI's top 100 movies of all time.

[Damo 0]

George Lucas hasn't done many non sequel or non films series . But I have to admit that I probably would prefer to see George Lucas doing more various types of genre movies which are not a sequel or not a series one.

[Sandor 459]

At one point Star Wars and Raiders Of The Lost Ark were not part of a film series. So the guy had maybe three truly golden moments: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders Of The Lost Ark. That is still more than most filmmakers will have in a lifetime.

And please check his filmography. Lucas has been involved in more films than you realise.

And while you're at it: check what he did for the industry. THX, ILM, Lucas Digital, Lucasarts, etc. The guy didn't "just do Star Wars".

[Damo 0]

Yeah i am aware that he has been in involved in other films other then "Star Wars". but the other films that he has been involve in... is it his films?

[Romão 1,931]

Again, American Grafitti.

[Sandor 459]

Yeah i am aware that he has been in involved in other films other then "Star Wars". but the other films that he has been involve in... is it his films?

Please do some research. It's obvious that you have a very harsh, limited view on Lucas' contribution to the world of film.

And what Merkel said.

[Damo 0]

I know that he has been involved in a lot more other films as a producer or writer or whatever.

[Sandor 459]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000184/

[King Mark 2,924]

Lucas will be free to roam the hallways of Lucasfilm in his Emperor outfut,thinking of ways to re-release the Star Wars films on DVD.

K.M.

[Damo 0]

Out of all that list...It mostly Star Wars and Indiana Jones compare to small listed amount of other films or TVs he done that has mentioned on that list.