Gary Kurtz interview

[thxleo]

This is an awesome and candid interview with Gary Kurtz, the producer on the first two original Star Wars films. He details the original outline for Return of the Jedi that would have been a hell of a lot better than what was filmed. Great piece. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hero...kurtz-wer.html

[bassman]

I have to admit I never liked Hayden Christensen in the role of Anakin Skywalker. I doubt you could find a single person to disagree. As for the series turning into a toy marketing scheme - that's pretty obvious from Jedi. I still like the film but it does have some major problems, as he addressed. Especially Death Star 2. Always thought that was silly...

[shootemindehead]

What a pity Lucas didn't bugger off and leave Kurtz at the helm.

[AcesandEights]

Well, I'll say this for good news: Kurtz working on Panzer 88 is great, as far as I'm concerned! I just wish he was also directing it... Filming kicks off later this year in Eastern Europe and the story is described as a a creature feature set around a group of blue-collar fighters in the German tank regiments in October 1944.

[axlish]

I'm still a Lucas fan. Am I the only one left?

[Doc]

I don't think, I like the idea of Han being killed off in the film. Wouldn't have that made the rescue from Jabba's palace pointless then?

[Legion2213]

The only change I'd make to Jedi would be to show the consiquences of blowing up a 900km wide construction made of exotic metals in low orbit... Or just place the DSII shield generator on Kashyyyk and have a believable battle scene with hordes of wookies attacking the Imperials.

[Doc]

Or just place the DSII shield generator on Kashyyyk and have a believable battle scene with hordes of wookies attacking the Imperials. Why didn't they do that? Was Lucas just like "Fack that!", and wanted Ewoks or was it for budgetary reasons?

[Legion2213]

Why didn't they do that? Was Lucas just like "Fack that!", and wanted Ewoks or was it for budgetary reasons? I've no idea, but it makes perfect sense, the Imperials use Wookies as slave labour on certain projects (like the DSI allegedly). What better place to construct DSII than their homeworld...and what better race for the Rebels to recruit to help them bring down the Empire! Then again, Lucas made the "Star Wars Holiday Special"...who knows what goes on in that twisted mind?

[Doc]

I've no idea, but it makes perfect sense, the Imperials use Wookies as slave labour on certain projects (like the DSI allegedly). What better place to construct DSII than their homeworld...and what better race for the Rebels to recruit to help them bring down the Empire! Meh, I don't know I would rather have had a new race then Wookies, or Ewoks. Wookies already lost their novety too me after 'Empire'.

[DubiousComforts]

The only change I'd make to Jedi would be to show the consiquences of blowing up a 900km wide construction made of exotic metals in low orbit... +1 Why didn't they do that? Was Lucas just like "Fack that!", and wanted Ewoks or was it for budgetary reasons? The original idea, I believe even prior to Empire, was to have a battle on the Wookie planet depicting a primitive Wookie race teaming up with the rebels against the Empire. I recall reading about this in some magazine in the late 70s along with a description of an aquatic alien race which I'd assume eventually became the Mon Calamari. At some point, Lucas decided that rather than utilize the imposing Wookies tribe, he'd create an race of midget teddy bears as the ultimate underdogs to rally against the technologically-advanced Empire. I don't mind the Ewoks as much as the Muppet show rejects that seem to inhabit the background of Jedi. Even the Rancor looks like something from a Jim Henson production.

[JDFP]

Count your blessings "Jedi" was made in '83. If it had been made in today's time the Ewoks would have all been fake-looking CGI creatures instead of more realistic looking puppets. That's "progress" for you. j.p.

[Doc]

: The original idea, I believe even prior to Empire, was to have a battle on the Wookie planet depicting a primitive Wookie race teaming up with the rebels against the Empire. Primitive? It was already shown they could use technology in 'Star Wars' and 'Empire' though. I don't mind the Ewoks as much as the Muppet show rejects that seem to inhabit the background of Jedi. Even the Rancor looks like something from a Jim Henson production. I'd probably agree with you, but damn it I love that blue elephant, and cyclops alien! It kinda, wouldn't be 'Jedi' for me without them muppets. Though that Syn Snootles puppet was freaking terrible.

[shootemindehead]

Why didn't they do that? Was Lucas just like "Fack that!", and wanted Ewoks or was it for budgetary reasons? Money. Lucas saw the cutesy toy/teddybear angle and went for it. Think about it. Ewok is a household name, even with people that have never seen the film and it's not mentioned once in the entire series.

[DubiousComforts]

Primitive? It was already shown they could use technology in 'Star Wars' and 'Empire' though. Chewbacca was shown to be skilled with technology, but I believe that the original concept was for the Wookie planet to be more primitive. At least that is what was being reported during the speculative period between Star Wars and Empire. It was often pointed out during Jedi's release that the central irony of Star Wars is the use of cutting-edge technology to convey an anti-technological message. Money. Lucas saw the cutesy toy/teddybear angle and went for it. Think about it. Ewok is a household name, even with people that have never seen the film and it's not mentioned once in the entire series. Ha! You mean Ewok®