Gary Kurtz talks post-Empire SW exit

[DigiFluid]

I found this a really fascinating read. I'm only going to post an excerpt, but I think it's worth you guys checking it out:

“Star Wars” was born a long time ago, but not all that far, far away. In 1972, filmmakers George Lucas and Gary Kurtz were toiling on “American Graffiti” in their San Rafael office when they began daydreaming about a throwback sci-fi adventure that channeled the old “Flash Gordon” serials as opposed to the bleak “message” movies that had taken over the genre.

“We had no idea what we were starting,” said Kurtz, who was the producer of the first two “Star Wars” films and also a second-unit director. “That simple concept changed Hollywood in a way....”

There was a bittersweet tinge to Kurtz’s voice, and it’s no surprise. This year is the 30th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back,” the “Star Wars” sequel that many fans consider the pinnacle moment in a franchise that has pulled in $16 billion in box office and merchandising. But 1980 was also the year that Kurtz and Lucas realized the Jedi universe wasn’t big enough for the both of them.

“I could see where things were headed,” Kurtz said. “The toy business began to drive the [Lucasfilm] empire. It’s a shame. They make three times as much on toys as they do on films. It’s natural to make decisions that protect the toy business, but that’s not the best thing for making quality films.”

He added: “The first film and ‘Empire’ were about story and character, but I could see that George’s priorities were changing.”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hero...kurtz-wer.html

[SaberBlade]

I think he has a good point about merchandising. It's one of the most well known stories about the series, how Lucas got merchandising rights without a fight because Fox thought the movie wouldn't do very well but has made George Lucas laugh his way to the bank for the last 35 years.

Empire was a brilliant movie and no surprise it's considered the best (by most). Empire involved C3PO being destroyed at one point, Han getting tortured and frozen in carbonite, Luke's future suggesting he could become the new Vader and how can anything ever top "Luke, I am your father" 30 seconds after he cut Luke's hand off and then tries to commit suicide.

But then Jedi happened and instead of getting something as powerful as Empire, we get three feet hairy Smurfs, one of which definitely wanted to get it on with Chewbacca, beating up the feared and deadly Empire using log traps while arming themselves with bows and arrows and rock slings.

It wasn't so bad this trilogy, but it still goes on. Episodes 1 had Jar Jar Binks and thankfully Lucas learnt his lesson with that one and kept kiddie friendly characters to a minimum however Clone Wars has Asoka and comic relief Droids, and it's not hard to see the appeal towards kids and their parents wallets.

[Wayston]

as opposed to the bleak “message” movies that had taken over the genre.

that's very funny wording considering lucas greatly contributed to it with THX 1138