Sometimes I love the news (Lucas is finally getting the hint)

[mrbakasan]

From:  http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2006-11-06/#2

Lucas: "I Don't Want To Make Movies Anymore"

Director George Lucas wants to quit filmmaking to concentrate on more lucrative TV projects. The Star Wars creator says making movies is too risky nowadays, because the average cost of shooting and marketing a blockbuster is now $200 million, so he's steering his production company Lucasfilm towards TV and low-budget movies. Lucas also believes internet downloading is set to shake up the film industry, reports Empire magazine. He reveals, "We don't want to make movies, we're getting into television. The feature film thing is too expensive and it's too risky. For that same $200 million I can make 50 to 60 two-hour movies." He adds, "I don't think anyone's going to be in the (movie-going habit) anymore. Everything is going to be a matter of choice. I think that's going to be a huge revolution in the medium." However, Lucas isn't giving up his film career just yet - he's currently working on Red Tails, a low-budget film about America's first black military airmen, and the fourth Indiana Jones movie.

Is it a coincidece that this news comes only days after the Phantom Menace rifftrax?  I think not.

[Rufus T]

That's fine Lucas. You go ahead and make your television shows. Then they will be released on dvd. And then they will also become rifftrax fodder. Aahahahaha! There is no escape Lucas.

[Tarantulas]

I thought the whole idea of the prequels was to usher in this age of CGI and lower costs movies?  Why build huge sets when you can do it in a computer?

I guess he forgot that along the way while trying to explain away the whole miticlorian thing.

[BathTub]

This is really old, I can't see what is new about it at all. 

[mrbakasan]

This is really old, I can't see what is new about it at all. 

I don't know if it's new or old, I don't really keep up with what Lucas is up to.  I just ran across this on imdb.com current news and thought that the headline was priceless.

[kodiakthejuggler]

Yeah, Lucas has been saying this since Ep. 3 came out.

I guess it's just another way to tell all the fanboys out there that Lucas will not be doing any more Star Wars movies. Just quitting movies in general. No more. Give up hoping, fanboys.

Besides, he's no spring chicken anymore. Let the guy rest with his millions. (adoring fans? money? you be the judge )

[Cap'n UKRiffer]

Personally, i find the news item on Russell Crowe much more funny where he takes a shot at the US legal system for blowing his phone throwing incident up while in Oz it would have been swept under the rug...

So i gotta ask any Aussie members, is chucking phones at each other a common thing?

[dignan]

Personally, i find the news item on Russell Crowe much more funny where he takes a shot at the US legal system for blowing his phone throwing incident up while in Oz it would have been swept under the rug...

So i gotta ask any Aussie members, is chucking phones at each other a common thing?

Yeah, over there, it's basically like the beginning of Braveheart when Mel Gibson and Brendan Gleeson throw rocks at each other.  Except with phones. 

[J-Proof]

When you think about it - making tv shows almsot makes sense for Lucas....

Shows like LOST become GIGANTIC. Plus - it'd be like Star Trek, only backwards. Make a movie, then make a fantastic tv series out of it. It.....COULD... WOOORK!!!!

Anyway - wasn't he talking about making a Star Wars tv show? Neat-o....

[dignan]

When you think about it - making tv shows almsot makes sense for Lucas....

Shows like LOST become GIGANTIC. Plus - it'd be like Star Trek, only backwards. Make a movie, then make a fantastic tv series out of it. It.....COULD... WOOORK!!!!

Anyway - wasn't he talking about making a Star Wars tv show? Neat-o....

Yes, I heard that.  With our luck though, it'll be like, The Jar-Jar Binks and Friends Variety Hour. 

For some reason, that's putting this image in my head of Jar-Jar and Savion Glover having a tap-off.

[J-Proof]

When you think about it - making tv shows almsot makes sense for Lucas....

Shows like LOST become GIGANTIC. Plus - it'd be like Star Trek, only backwards. Make a movie, then make a fantastic tv series out of it. It.....COULD... WOOORK!!!!

Anyway - wasn't he talking about making a Star Wars tv show? Neat-o....

Yes, I heard that.  With our luck though, it'll be like, The Jar-Jar Binks and Friends Variety Hour. 

For some reason, that's putting this image in my head of Jar-Jar and Savion Glover having a tap-off.

.... like you wouldn't pay to see that....

[Pak-Man]

I know I would! :^) I'm very cautously optimistic about the Star Wars TV show. Been a dream a long time coming. :^)

[JonnyFrag]

I can see it now:

Tonight on a very special Star Wars:
Young Princess Leia discovers the true meaning of midichlorians and Jar Jar takes his driving test again! Can Han Solo get the Falcon fixed before his father gets home? Hilarity ensues! Special Guest star Bea Arthur.
Tune in tonight, right after America's Funniest Cop Beatings:   only on Fox.

[Sharktopus]

I thought the whole idea of the prequels was to usher in this age of CGI and lower costs movies?  Why build huge sets when you can do it in a computer?

I think George was saying that marketing a movie has gotten prohibitively expensive, regardless of the cost of production. It can cost far more to make people aware of your film than it is to just to make the film.

[Cap'n UKRiffer]

I think George was saying that marketing a movie has gotten prohibitively expensive, regardless of the cost of production. It can cost far more to make people aware of your film than it is to just to make the film.

Thats understandable but he was making fricking Star Wars films... he shouldn't even need to market the things, they should sell by themselves so i don't see whats he complaining about.