The Time’s Dave Itzkoff interviews George Lucas (and pals!) about the new series, the old series, movies and whatnot. There’s also a handful of new stills and a slide show of Asajj Ventress concept art.
In the news: LucasArts, George, a filly named Shmi
- LucasArts: The layoffs earlier this month also took out key members of the team for The Force Unleashed. (via)
- Politics: George is talking up Barak Obama again! While on Capitol Hill the other day, he said it’s “reasonably obvious” that the presidential candidate would be a Jedi.
- Sports: A filly named Shmi Skywalker? Why not?
In the news: George goes to Washington, Red Tails, AT-AT urban legends, ILM
Yesterday, George Lucas spoke up for educational broadband at a Congressional hearing in his guise as chairman of the George Lucas Educational Foundation:
“Telecommunications provides the new learning platform of this century and is replacing the textbook as the medium through which a modern education is provided,” he said. “The world’s knowledge is now available online, far beyond what books and materials can provide in schools and libraries themselves.”
- Red Tails: Rick McCallum tells the AP that they hope to start shooting George’s Tuskegee Airmen flick by early 2009. Lucas is not directing it, but since he’s only been talking about producing I can’t say that’s a surprise.
- Industrial design: The San Francisco Chronicle looks into the urban legend that Port of Oakland container cranes inspired the design of ESB’s AT-AT walkers.
- ILM: The New York Daily News has reported that ILM may be heading to Broadway on effects duty for a musical starring Whoopi Goldberg. Wait, what?
George Lucas back on Forbes’ Celebrity 100
It’s time for Forbes to break out this year’s Celebrity 100 list… And this year, George Lucas comes in at #46. He wasn’t on 2007’s list, but he was #15 in 2006 and #4 in 2005.
Other ranking geek idols include J.K. Rowling (#9,) Steven Spielberg (#13,) Stephen King (#34,) Keira Knightley (#47,) Daniel Radcliffe (#64,) Cate Blanchett (#77) and Tina Fey (#99.)
In the news: George, TCW, TFU, Philip Wise
- People: The business of the Democratic nomination was (finally!) settled last night, and AFP has a few words from George Lucas on Barack Obama.
- The Clone Wars: Canadian fans will be able to catch the series Sundays on CTV.
- Gaming: Got a Playstation? Get a preview of The Force Unleashed.
- Fandom: Collector and Rebelscum/TFN/OfficialPix head honcho Philip Wise in The Dallas Morning News.
In the news: George, Chad, Minnesota, Filoni
- Time’s Rebecca Winters Keegan considers advice to George Lucas.
- The ‘Where Science Meets Imagination’ exhibit has reached it’s final destination (so far?) in Minnesota, and it looks like tickets are going fast.
- Blame Society at work on yet more Chad Vader.
- The Clone War’s Dave Filoni talks to Tim Lammers of New Hampshire’s WMUR 9.
- Whatever happened to 5/25/77, aka the other Star Wars movie we expected to be in theaters by now? Well, it’s secured funding for a Toronto debut, says The Hollywood Reporter.
George on (more) Indy sequels and The Clone Wars
Fox News caught up with George at Cannes and he says there’s a strong possibility for sequels. With, as many have been contemplating, Shia LeBeouf in the lead. Oh, George, you crazy diamond.
Next up, The Clone Wars and why it’s not being released by Fox:
“No one wanted it,” he told me. “Every studio rejected it, including Fox, and I’m very loyal to them. They have right of first refusal. Eventually I brought it to Warners. It’s the first time that three components of the studio have acted together. It’s very exciting.
…Every studio? Huh.
Keep telling yourself that, George
The Los Angeles Times talks to George Lucas – am old-same old about The Clone Wars and stuff past the movies:
“There really isn’t any story to tell there,” the filmmaker said. “It’s been covered in the books and video games and comic books, which are things I think are incredibly creative but that I don’t really have anything to do with other than being the person who built the sandbox they’re playing in.”
In the non-film versions of the saga, for instance, Han Solo and Princess Leia marry and have three children, one of them named Anakin after his notorious grandfather. All of it has been popular with core fans, but Lucas doesn’t see any upside to extending the tale past the leafy luau on Endor where Vader’s corpse was torched.
“I get asked all the time, ‘What happens after “Return of the Jedi”?,’ and there really is no answer for that,” he said. “The movies were the story of Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker, and when Luke saves the galaxy and redeems his father, that’s where that story ends.”
Dear media: WE KNOW. (We just don’t care.*) You can’t think of anything else to ask George Lucas? Come on!
Anyway, despite this, they do attempt a quick guide to the expanded universe – four out of nine selections actually extend past (or forward) the movies. (Bonus: They source Wookieepedia)
* Well, I don’t care. No doubt someone will object. Or gloat. ;)
In the News: Kenny Baker, Obi-Wan, golf
- People: Kenny Baker recovering after last month’s health scare.
- Lucasfilm: Chief technical officer Richard Kerris is one of Variety’s Ten Innovators to Watch. (Check the second link for videos.)
- History: Opinion L.A. considers who killed Ben Kenobi?
- Politics: Just in case you’re not sick enough of this election, there’s now The Empire Strikes Barack.
- Sports: “Golf is the ultimate game when it comes to the Jedi teachings.” Adventure, excitement, a Jedi craves not these things…
Indiana Jones in the new Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is coming out with its Summer Movie Preview this week, and it’s not too big of a surprise that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull made the cover. And they also sat down with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg to talk about Indy, Cate Blanchett’s overwhelming awesomeness, filmmaking, and all the other stuff you expect them to address, like Will Ferrell and Steve Carrell.
And thankfully, after an interview or two full of doom and gloom, George has found his sense of humor again. Phew.