Originally posted by: zombie84
What i don't understand is:

If Paramount is paying for the movie...
If Frank Darabont was writing the screenplay...
If Steven Speilberg is directing it

Then what is the big deal about Lucas anyway?

I don't even think he is the producer, just executive producer, someone else will be actually managing the daily production chores. Lucas' importance just seems arbitrary.

Zombie, Paramount is most likely handling the advertisement and distribution of the movie, while Lucas, as executive producer, would be providing the funding.

You know the golden rule: the one who has the gold makes the rules.

For those who'd like to go directly to the story source:
http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2007-04-20