star wars the space epic
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

No one believed in

'Star Wars,' the space epic

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today 'Star Wars,' the space epic

Such was the lack of enthusiasm when the original 'Star Wars' film
Los Angeles - Arab Today

It may well be one of Hollywood's biggest success stories, but when the original "Star Wars" film was released in 1977 many people, including creator George Lucas, believed it would be a flop.

"I don't think anyone could have predicted what a smash hit and what a cultural phenomenon it was going to become," said Jonathan Kuntz, professor at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television.

"As soon as anybody saw 'Star Wars', they were converted and they fell in love with it."

But the early beginnings of the space epic didn't look that rosy.

Twentieth Century Fox, the film's distributor, hesitated over the film's $8 million budget and wasn't convinced a science fiction movie would fill theaters.

Such was the lack of enthusiasm that the studio planned a limited release and had to twist the arm of some theaters to agree to show the movie.

- 'It was a disaster' -
Given the budget constraints, Lucas agreed to a lower salary in exchange for full merchandising rights to the movie and any sequels -- a deal that would prove brilliant and make him very, very rich.

Prior to the film's release, Lucas organized a private showing to a group of film director friends and most, including Brian De Palma, gave it a thumbs down.

"It was a disaster," recalls Gary Kurtz, who produced the first two 'Star Wars' films.

"Everyone was like 'Oh, I don't know, it may not work'."

The only voice of dissent came from Steven Spielberg, who rightly predicted the movie would be a hit.

Still, Lucas was so convinced the movie would flop that on May 25, the day it was released, he went on holiday to Hawaii instead of attending the premiere.

And, as everyone knows, "Star Wars" immediately became a sensation and went on to become one of the highest grossing films of all time.
It played in theaters for one straight year, winning six Oscars and earning $775 million at the box office.

Overall, the space epic has generated $4.4 billion in box office revenue.

While that number is below earnings by the "James Bond" or "Harry Potter" movies, the upcoming release of the seventh instalment -- "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" -- as well as two planned sequels will likely make it "the undisputed champion of the box office as far as franchises go," said Jeff Bock, of the box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The secret to the success of "Star Wars," studied and analyzed in universities the world over, rests primarily with its multigenerational appeal, Kurtz said.

"Audiences of all ages could identify with the characters," he said. "Even little kids three or four years old got the basic structure of the story and enjoyed being sucked into that kind of adventure."

- 'Not total dystopia' -
The space saga, inspired by the Flash Gordon movie serials of the 1930s, tells a classic story of good versus evil in a "galaxy far, far away," and mixes in visual effects, a romantic plot and battle scenes.

"It jump-started the whole science fiction and fantasy era that we are still living in," said Kuntz, who has given courses on the series at UCLA.

"'Star Wars' is a non-stop action movie with goofy characters and humor and portrays so many alien worlds," he added. "It opens the door on a fascinating new universe."

And unlike other sci-fi hit movies like "Blade Runner" and "The Matrix," the series also gives fans reason for optimism.

"It's not total dystopia, there is still hope," Kuntz said.

Still, the reason behind the stellar success "Star Wars" may never be known, said Kurtz, the producer.

"I would have never thought that 40 years after the first film was released, people would still talk about it," he said.
Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

star wars the space epic star wars the space epic

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

star wars the space epic star wars the space epic

 



GMT 07:02 2017 Monday ,27 November

Nissan GT-R/C races at Silverstone

GMT 10:06 2015 Saturday ,27 June

Chevrolet lifts lid on 2016 Camaro Convertible

GMT 18:51 2018 Friday ,26 October

Four Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire

GMT 03:14 2016 Wednesday ,28 December

Kiir: National dialogue will end civil war in S. Sudan

GMT 03:07 2017 Monday ,19 June

Syrian army declares ceasefire in Deraa

GMT 09:00 2014 Tuesday ,02 December

Jewels no money can buy on show in Florence

GMT 18:59 2017 Friday ,08 December

Morocco summons UNSC permanent members' envoys

GMT 10:00 2017 Thursday ,06 April

We are trying to re-raise Egyptian cotton value

GMT 21:43 2017 Tuesday ,07 March

Singer George Michael died of natural causes
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday