Heads Up Hollywood

When Twain became the director of "Star Wars Episode 1: The Menace of the Phantom Man", he took back the script and asked his queen screenwriter team to revise it.

Twain is very familiar with this movie. In addition to the spectacular scenes and realistic special effects, this movie's protracted plot, long-overdue battles, dramatic turning points, and younger laughs are unimaginable. This turned out to be a masterpiece!

Especially the PPT-like scene switching makes people laugh out loud.

Compared with the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy in the same period, the biggest advantage of this film is probably that the author is from the United States, not the United Kingdom.

Now that Tang En has become the director, it is natural to make some revisions, at least to make the movie look less childish.

However, Tang En's revised script was firmly opposed by George Lucas!

"This is impossible! Tang En, you should know that our post-production has already started, and it is impossible for us to make major revisions to the script at this stage, which will seriously affect the progress of the project!" George Lucas looked serious, as if I don't want to give Tang En a chance to talk back.

Tang En's face was also heavy, "George, I understand what you said, so I haven't changed the framework of the script, but just adjusted some details, especially the jokes and action scenes, to improve them."

"No, no, no, I don't think it's necessary at all!" George Lucas spent a lot of time writing this script for two years, and he didn't want to be rejected. "The plot is perfect and there is no need for any changes."

Tang En said in a deep voice: "George, I think you have got into a misunderstanding, such a plot design... We are filming Star Wars, not cartoons!"

Tang En's tone was not insignificant, making George Lucas's face livid, and he blew his beard and stared angrily, "Boy, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Tang En did his part. Now that he is the director, he has the right to put forward reasonable opinions on the script, "The whole script, except for the car chase scene in the valley, which is eye-catching, is the whole plot different from children's films? George, To put it bluntly, I don't want to direct a razzie movie!"

George Lucas was so angry that he almost vomited blood, Star Wars...can it be mixed into a golden raspberry?

"I know, you want to make the movie more interesting, but it's enough to have the young Anakin. Is it necessary to give robots and Gungars so many scenes in succession? This will seriously reduce the height and depth of the movie!"

Listening to Tang En's words, George Lucas calmed down a bit, "This is the beginning of the trilogy, and its main function is to pave the way."

"That's not necessary for so many flashy things!" Tang En waved his hand, his tone was serious, "The heroine is underage, Anakin is a child, and there are so many young CG characters, which will seriously lower the movie. And the roles of the two Jedi Knights are obviously too small, especially the final battle, which is simply ridiculous, illogical, and has no sense of urgency!"

"Twain, I understand your thoughts, but you haven't considered some deep-seated things." George Lucas sighed, feeling quite helpless.

Tang En said coldly: "Deep things? I'm sorry, George, I'm the director, and my task is to make the movie well and make it look like a real Star Wars! In addition, I think we should go to Xiangjiang to invite Wu Zhi, let them set up sword fights, the action scenes of Jedi knights are the soul of the movie, and they must not put on a few flowery poses lightly."

In today’s Hollywood blockbusters, action scenes are getting younger and younger. It was not until the appearance of "The Matrix" led by Yuan Jiaban that Hollywood finally understood the essentials of action scenes. The style of a series of action blockbusters has changed a lot since then. .

"These issues are easy to discuss. Our disagreement lies in the script." George Lucas waved his hand and sighed, "Twain, you have to understand that I am not only a filmmaker, I am also the owner of a film company."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Tang En didn't react for a moment.

George Lucas turned around, with his hands behind his back, "The biggest investor in this film is Fox Films. It is conceivable that Lucasfilm can't make much money at all."

Tang En was at a loss, "The better the film is made, the higher the box office will be, and the more money will be earned?"

George Lucas shook his head, "Twain, you're still young and don't understand the market. Movies... It's not that the better the filming and the higher the box office, the more money you will make."

"ah?"

Tang En felt that his cognition had collapsed.

How can this be?

The better the word of mouth, the higher the box office, the greater the influence, the more money you earn?

George Lucas turned around and stared straight at Tang En with cloudy eyes, "Star Wars is culture, and the derivatives of culture can cover any corner of the world!"

Tang En was startled, and a word flashed in his mind in an instant—peripheral!

Yes, this is Star Wars, the most expensive movie series in history!

"The script is indeed younger, but... But this can attract more children. Peripheral consumption, they are the mainstream group, do you understand?"

George Lucas's words have a lot of meaning, which is a bit like teaching young people.

There are so many animated characters in the movie, like horses, deer, hippopotamuses, and various robots acting coquettishly and cutely, just to attract more children and sell more toys.

From the perspective of George Lucas, how can you not see that this script is too naive?

Tang En sighed, and his voice was a little more lost, "George, how many years have you not made a movie?"

George Lucas was stunned for a moment, puzzled by Tang En's meaning.

Tang En asked again, "George, do you think... are you a filmmaker or... a businessman?"

George Lucas understood Tang En's meaning and fell silent for a while.

Tang En raised his head, looked at the lights on the ceiling, and murmured to himself, "Everyone wants to make money, and so do I. But in the end, we are just filmmakers wearing businessman's clothes! Hollywood is where we take root! "

"Businessmen don't care about the development of Hollywood. They are crazy about asking for it. They don't care about the development of Hollywood. They even regard the spirit of Hollywood as a joke. We all saw the tragedy of MGM. Don't you feel sad at all? "

"Hollywood needs capital, but capital cannot replace Hollywood! Movies are the soul of Hollywood, but what about us? We are filmmakers! What Star Wars should look like, George, I think you know better than anyone else."

"I know you want Lucasfilm to have stronger capital, but Lucasfilm is already strong enough! Looking at the entire Hollywood, is there any filmmaker richer than you? Money really Is it necessary to earn so much? Even so, there is no need to sacrifice the quality of the movie, right?"

Tang En babbled a lot. Seeing that George Lucas had been silent, he paused, "A while ago, I visited Mr. Francis Coppola, and his teachings made me understand where the It’s the roots of a filmmaker. He said that the atmosphere in Hollywood has changed, and he likes the old taste.”

"Mr. Coppola's words always echo in my ears. I will always stick to it. I want to make the best movie, to thank the fans for their love, and to repay the shelter given by Hollywood."

"George, I am the director you accept as your fate, and I will respect my profession. If our differences cannot reach an agreement, I will follow your opinion to complete the filming, but...you will lose my respect."

"By the way, here is a videotape for you. This is a movie made by my assistant director Christopher Nolan at a cost of $6,000. I hope that Hollywood will continue to give hope to these new directors from all over the world instead of disappointment. "

...

Tang En left George Lucas's office, and he was still sitting on the sofa in a daze.

Francis Coppola...

Not only did he guide Twain, he was also the leader who led George Lucas into Hollywood!