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CNN writer blasts Star Wars in 3D (and other stuff George's changed)

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http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/10/06/3d.starwars.bad/index.html?hpt=Mid

Editor's Note: On September 28, Lucasfilm Ltd. announced the "Star Wars" movie franchise would return to the big screen, this time in 3-D. CNN.com's search engine optimization expert Topher Kohan owns 12 different versions of "Star Wars" and has watched "Star Wars" and "Empire Strikes Back" over 500 times. As an avid "Star Wars" fan, the news that Lucasfilm was tinkering with the classic sci-fi series yet again didn't sit well with him -- to say the least. Here is his open letter to George Lucas and his fellow "Star Wars" fans.

(CNN) -- Dear Mr. Lucas,

I was sincerely disturbed when I found out you where planning on converting the "Star Wars" franchise to 3-D.

This is one of the worst ideas you've ever had about "Star Wars." And let's face it -- you've had some real stinkers: "The Star Wars Holiday Special" ring a bell?

I want to believe that you think this is a good move for the franchise but please consider what 3-D will do to the "Star Wars" legacy.

Sure, it seems like every other movie that gets released these days is 3-D -- some a lot better than others. As a wise man once said, "This is a dangerous time for you when you will be tempted by the dark side of the Force."

I am a huge fan of the "Star Wars" movies. Thank you for all the years of enjoyment you have given me.

When I sat in the theater in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1977 and saw "Star Wars" (I refuse to call it "A New Hope") I walked away with a vision of not only how good can triumph over evil but how seeing a movie could be the coolest thing to ever happen to me. I was there for "Empire" and "Jedi" and read everything I could about the movies. I had the toys and waited for the sequels you promised us.

When I heard that you where going to make prequels I was a little kid again.

I was in line to see the first one, opening night at 12:01 am and ... Why did you do that to me? To us?

There was little to love in "The Phantom Menace," and I was so ready to love it. I think this 3-D idea is doomed to be a repeat performance.

If you're going to capitalize on me -- and people like me -- at least let us get something out of it that rivals our dedication to the Jedi universe.

To be fair, I get that the legions of die-hard "Star Wars" fans are partially to blame for your latest twist of the knife. If we did not see episodes I - III in droves, you would have never thought of doing this.

And I'll confess, as mad as I am at you, I will be there at 12:01 am again to see the 3-D version of that torturous experience that is Jar Jar Binks. I know I'd regret it if I didn't. So would most, if not all, of the "Star Wars" fans I know.

iReport: The people behind "The People vs. George Lucas"

We will say how we hate it. We will say we won't go. But as it gets closer we will cave. The worst part is you know we will and that we still care about your creations.

Please, Mr. Lucas, stop changing the movies. Han shot first.

You don't need to make them better. We already think they're perfect. If you need to expand, then give us the sequel.

Give us something that is new and not just an indulgent reworking of one of the greatest movie franchises ever.

I'm asking "Star Wars" fans to try to stop spending money on your rehashes. By now it's embarrassing how we act like starving dogs, happy with whatever "Star Wars" scrap we get.

For the sake of our collective, cherished memories, this must stop.

Thank you sir for your consideration, and: May the Force be with you!

 

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"And I'll confess, as mad as I am at you, I will be there at 12:01 am again to see the 3-D version of that torturous experience that is Jar Jar Binks. I know I'd regret it if I didn't. So would most, if not all, of the "Star Wars" fans I know."
and this is why any petition will fail, because so many (including myself) share this opinion.

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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I won't go. 3D tickets are expensive.

"The other versions will disappear. Even the 35 million tapes of Star Wars out there won’t last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version [of the Special Edition], and you’ll be able to project it on a 20’ by 40’ screen with perfect quality. I think it’s the director’s prerogative, not the studio’s to go back and reinvent a movie." - George Lucas

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I won't be seeing them in 3-D.

If the hobbit is filmed in 3-D which is video i will stay home. The same with star trek 12.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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James Cameron and George Lucas effectively killed film. Not movies, but physical film. I wouldn't be surprised if digital cameras are the definite Hollywood standard within the next 10-20 years, if not sooner. I think 3D is here to stay, but it won't become the standard.

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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bkev said:

James Cameron and George Lucas effectively killed film. Not movies, but physical film.

 

"The other versions will disappear. Even the 35 million tapes of Star Wars out there won’t last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version [of the Special Edition], and you’ll be able to project it on a 20’ by 40’ screen with perfect quality. I think it’s the director’s prerogative, not the studio’s to go back and reinvent a movie." - George Lucas

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There's no way in hell I'm seeing any of the six in 3D.  I don't know why everyone else seems to have the "I don't want to go, but I know I will" attitude.  I don't want to go, so I won't.  Plain and simple.

George won't get another dime from me until I can watch the OOT in 1080p.

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The CNN guy seems to think that everyone has nostalgia for Star Wars as a kid and will keep supporting it out of obligation. But the funny thing is, I don't think Lucas is even operating on that principle anymore. He's assuming that there's a new generation of kids that will support it and the old fans aren't really necessary now and hey, maybe it's true.

Either way, LFL is counting on the kids. (And their parents, who like to tell you how wrong everyone is about the new stuff because their 6 year old loves it. Dear Everybody, nobody gives a shit about your kids except you).

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Baronlando said:
The CNN guy seems to think that everyone has nostalgia for Star Wars as a kid and will keep supporting it out of obligation. But the funny thing is, I don't think Lucas is even operating on that principle anymore. He's assuming that there's a new generation of kids that will support it and the old fans aren't really necessary now and hey, maybe it's true.


I agree, if he had any regard at all for the first generation of SW fans like me, he wouldn't be trying to suppress the OOT now. Us old-timers are an annoyance to him because we REMEMBER the originals, and that mucks up his attempts to wipe away all traces of them. He can manipulate the minds of the young 'uns all he wants, so they are his target audience now.

I won't be going.

EDIT: OH MY GOD I JUST REALIZED THAT ARTICLE LINKS TO MY "HAN SHOT FIRST" YOUTUBE VIDEO! :-D

canofhumdingers said:



Please, Mr. Lucas, stop changing the movies. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1YbFnkZwZk&feature=related" target="new"><span style="color: #5c7996;">Han shot first.</span></a>



Too bad I can't make any money off it. :-(

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No, but your view counts could skyrocket.

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Well, it is CNN.com so.....probably not. :-P It already had over a quarter million views since I uploaded that one in 2006. We'll see.

The ROTJ clip has over half a million views, and the ESB clip has over 300,000. I'm glad because it's amazing how many people have never seen the original ending to ROTJ and never knew that Greedo didn't shoot first. Some of the comments people leave are scary.

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The only thing I can come up with after reading the article is:

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Bobby Jay said:

Here's a rebuttal, endorsed by the official sw.com Twitter account

http://www.bigshinyrobot.com/reviews/archives/17765

Some people just don't get it.

Actually, the rebuttal is mostly true.  This is what I said about the CNN article missing the point.  When ineffective arguments are made supporting our side, it ends up being more fodder for GL and others to make us look bad.

We have to be very careful exactly what we say and how we say it.

"Close the blast doors!"
Puggo’s website | Rescuing Star Wars

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Here's my statement:

"Stop spending money on 3D releases that you think we need and start spending money on preserving the award-winning movies you made 30 years ago."

All this stuff about "meant to be seen in theaters" is true, but you know what the cheapest way to do that is? Re-release them in theaters. If the prequels were worth seeing, people would go see them again. Star Wars was in theaters for 3 years, the same version. No one needed to spend more money on them, they watched the same thing over and over.

Star Wars Revisited Wordpress

Star Wars Visual Comparisons WordPress

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I read some of the article and comments on the BigShinyRobot page.

I don't want to live on this planet anymore.

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captainsolo said:

I guess this place is Dantooine.

Love it!  ;-)

 

We are the remains of a rebel base.

Forum Moderator
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Not too remote to make an effective demonstration though.