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Star Wars: A Force on eBay (Graphic: Business Wire)
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Fans of Star Wars are not happy. Someone has been tampering with their movie history, altering elements of those intergalactic classics

Fans of Star Wars are not happy. Someone has been tampering with their movie history, altering elements of those intergalactic classics, which some feel is akin to an act of vandalism. http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/

The fact that the perpetrator is George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, only seems to make matters worse.

"Yes Darth says No" Lucasfilm recently confirmed, according to the New York Times , which corroborated the story by posting the scene from the movie in which the 'event' occurs.

For those of you not fully conversant with the drama that is Star Wars: Behind the Scenes - or The People v George Lucas as a recent documentary put it - there has been an ongoing furore about George Lucas meddling with his masterpieces.

It all started back in 1997 when he gave the three original films - Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) - a bit of a makeover.

Not only did he clean up and repair the original prints; he also made several additions and alterations. Since when, an air of animosity between fans and founder has been circulating.

The latest revision by Lucas (putting the word "no" into Darth Vader's concealed mouth during a tense scene during which he had previously been mute) elicited this angry (and strongly-worded) Twitter response from Simon Pegg, the Shaun of the Dead writer and star. The self-proclaimed nerd, like many Star Wars fans, has been profoundly affected by the franchise as he explains in this short conversation with Richard Bacon on BBC Radio 5 Live.

It is this level of emotional connection to the original movies that has caused both Lucas and the movies' fans, so much grief.

Rewriting history

The fact that George Lucas has made changes to the original films is not the root of the problem (although there are plenty who wish he hadn't). It is the fact that he is not making those original versions available, which is causing all the fuss.

Star Wars attracts a dedicated fan base

Lucas is quoted on the Save Star Wars website as saying in a 1997 interview with American Cinematographer magazine that he thought "the other versions will disappear". He said: "Even the 35 million [video] tapes out there wont 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 [Special Edition] version."

He argued, as quoted in the Guardian, that "films never get finished, they get abandoned" and that he thought it the "director's prerogative … to go back and reinvent a movie". Which it appears to mean replacing the old version, not adding a new one to complement it.

Han shot first

A 1997 alteration to a scene in the original Star Wars, featuring reckless space smuggler Han Solo and an alien bounty hunter called Greedo, is the focus of intense controversy and for some Star Wars' fans and film purists epitomises George Lucas' tinkering ways.

In the scene, a blaster-brandishing Greedo has finally caught up with Han at a bar and - like all movie baddies - is spending just a little too long relishing the moment.

But, unbeknownst to the reptilian bounty hunter, Han has stealthily retrieved his own blaster beneath the table.

In the original 1977 version Han shoots Greedo without the bounty hunter ever firing a shot. But in the 1997 remake Greedo shoots first, before Han responds in kind.

Further changes to the scene have been made in subsequent releases, but the 1997 tweak is still regarded by some as Lucas' biggest transgression, sparking online petitions, websites and t-shirts all bearing the slogan 'Han shot first'.

The changes remain in the most recent release, much to the annoyance of hardcore fans.

And yet the Save Star Wars website also says George Lucas made a speech to the US Congress in 1988 about the preservation of film in which he proclaimed: "American works of art belong to the American public; they are part of our cultural history... In the future it will become even easier for old negatives to become lost and be 'replaced' by new altered negatives.

"This would be a great loss to our society. Our cultural history must not be allowed to be rewritten."

Of course the idea of re-writing, updating or altering is not new. Authors do it all the time, presenting a revised second edition and letting the first edition slip quietly out of print. Nor is the idea of re-working old material, it happens all the time, even with classics. Kate Bush did just that with her album Director's Cut earlier this year.

But in most cases enterprising fans can find a copy of the original version, or, if there's enough consumer demand, original versions are made available by a publisher who will typically own the rights. Not so with Star Wars. The rights belong to George Lucas. But should they?

I'm not talking about the ins-and-outs of who did what on the early movies (of the three original films Lucas only directed the first, the other two were directed and co-written by others), but a broader question about the role the public play in the creation of a work of art.

Faltering vision

In 1957 Marcel Duchamp, the philosophical French artist (the urinal and all that), gave a lecture on this subject called The Creative Act. He starts it with this thought:

"Let us consider two important factors, the two poles of the creation of art: the artist on the one hand, and on the other the spectator who later becomes the posterity."

Lucas also provoked some fans with the release of the prequel The Phantom Menace

He then goes on to argue that the artist is merely the medium for his or her work; that he or she is not fully conscious of what is being produced, much of which derives from intuition.

This is a concept that I've heard many times from authors to artists, where they tell me that their words or thoughts come to them unconsciously or from an unknown source.

Building on this idea of artist-as-medium, Duchamp then introduces the idea that the audience has a vital role in validating something as an artwork:

"'The artist may shout from all the rooftops that he is a genius: he will have to wait for the verdict of the spectator in order that his declarations take a social value and that, finally, posterity includes him in the primers of Artist History."

In other words it's not for the artist to decide whether his or her work is any good, it is the job of the spectator, which in turn makes them part of the creative act.

Duchamp describes this as "transference": the moment when the artist hands over control of his or her artwork to an audience.

He also points out that there is an inevitable gap between intention and realisation.

This is George Lucas's argument for altering his original films; that the technology was not available for him to fully realise his vision (which doesn't account for adding to the script, but let's not dwell on that) in the late '70s early '80s.

Too late mate, according to Duchamp.

Profound view

The artist concludes with this:

Should fans be allowed to see the originals?

"All in all, the creative act is not performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualification and thus adds his contribution to the creative act.

"This becomes even more obvious when posterity gives a final verdict and sometimes rehabilitates forgotten artists."

Such as Van Gogh for example, who was not remotely successful or sought after during his lifetime. Duchamp's argument is that the spectator is part of the creative act and therefore shares ownership - and authorship - of the artwork with the artist.

Duchamp would contest that Lucas didn't know what he had produced back in 1977; it wasn't for him to judge back then, it's not for him to judge now. And by denying the public access to a work of art that they helped create is not within his rights, even though he owns the rights.

Bob Dylan has always complained that people read too much into his songs, just as Chance The Gardener was bemused in the film Being There when society decided his simple utterances were profound aphorisms.

In short, the artist is probably not the best person to judge their own artwork, and - in my view - Lucas should probably listen to his fans and allow all versions of the films to be seen (even if that means spending a few quid digitising the originals).

Emma Stone de Princesa Leia

http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/ Star Wars スターウォーズ 星際大戰 Guerre des étoiles star wars posters from

Dos son las cosas que más entusiasmo desaforado generan en la redacción de CINEMANÍA: todo lo relacionado con Star Wars y Emma Stone. Por lo tanto, no podíamos pasar por alto haber visto en People una foto como la de arriba, en la que la actriz estadounidense y futura Gwen Stacy lleva una camiseta de Yoda y aparece caracterizada como la Princesa Leia de la saga galáctica. Bueno, puede que caracterizada sea demasiado decir para el hecho de llevar unas orejeras que reproducen el característico peinado con moños-ensaimada de Leia que tan inexplicablemente atractivo hizo Carrie Fisher, pero algo es algo.

La foto pertenece a una serie de recreaciones de escenas de la trilogía clásica impulsadas por Samuel L. Jackson ha impulsado junto a la fundación de lucha contra el cáncer Stand Up to Cancer para promocionar las nuevas camisetas que han sacado para recaudar fondos aprovechando el lanzamiento de la saga de George Lucas en Blu-ray. Otros actores, como los cómicos Seth Rogen, Zach Galifianakis, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Ed Helms o Aziz Ansari también han participado.

"Star Wars" characters have reached iconic status

"Star Wars" characters have reached iconic status with the many fans who love the adventures from a galaxy far, far away. The characters capture our hearts and imaginations by taking on local legends from pirates to noble knights. George Lucas' trilogy of movies and prequels create a wondrous universe of fans' dreams with light saber battles between the Jedi and the evil Sith Lords and spaceship fights in the stars. Halloween costume parties are never the same once the starships flew across the sky back in 1977. Characters from "Star Wars" universe show what movie magic is all about as fans fill sci fi conventions with their variations of these icons.

Luke Skywalker.

Mark Hamill plays the country boy turned fighter pilot who goes on an adventure of a lifetime in "Star Wars." His character goes through more changes than puberty when he meets with Obi Wan Kenobi and journeys to become a Jedi. The young man learns over the course of the original trilogy about his true origins that effects his ultimate destiney.

Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Alec Guinness embodied one of cinema's most famous sages as the man who taught Anakin and Luke Skywalker the ways of the Force. His classic utterance of the line "May the Force be with you" has been quoted more than Shakespeare in reference to wishing someone good luck. Ewan McGregor took the reigns to play the legendary Jedi master in his youth in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy that told how Anakin Sywalker turned to the dark side.

Darth Vader.

The most evil and tragic character in the "Star Wars" mythos is the scourge of the galaxy and served Emperor Palpatine. More actors played his role in numerous movies other than James Bond, with Dave Prowse (in costume), James Earl Jones (voice), Sebastian Shaw (Darth Vader unmasked), Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader as a boy) and Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker as a young Jedi and Darth Vader) all playing parts. No one can deny his place as one of movies all time bad guys.

Han Solo.

One of Harrison Ford's famous roles brings the pirate's spirit to the galaxy far,far away in the original "Star Wars" movies. His romance with Luke Skywalker's sister makes for great drama and light-hearted moments amongst the lasers and lightsaber battles. Just don't get any fan started on who shot first, Han Solo or Greedo!

Princess Leia.

A lady never took any smack from anyone, especially looking face-to-face with Darth Vader in the first "Star Wars" movie. It's no surprise a space pirate like Han Solo was the only one to be able to handle this intergalactic firecracker. Her slave attire in the clutches of Jabba the Hutt is often imitated at sci fi conventions and by celebs like Adrianne Curry and Olivia Munn.

Old Timey Star Wars Illustrations Are Pretty Awesome.

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Going across some new Tumblr accounts who followed me this week, I came across a really awesome post. It’s basically Star Wars characters photoshopped into old timey portraits.

I know, i’m a supergeek. Here:

STAR WARS superan las expectativas con la llegada de la SAGA COMPLETA en BLU-RAY.

Pese a las críticas por parte de los fans acerca de los cambios realizados por George Lucas en sus películas para la edición BLU-RAY, la realidad es que los fans españoles de STAR WARS superan las expectativas con la llegada de la SAGA COMPLETA en BLU-RAY.

•El pack de STAR WARS: LA SAGA COMPLETA en Blu-Ray se convierte en la saga en Blu-Ray más vendida de la historia en sus primeras 24 horas. http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/

•Por primera vez se estrenan las seis películas en un único pack que incluye 40 horas de contenidos añadidos.

•Los fans de la saga, en las primeras 24 horas, han adquirido más de 4.800 packs STAR WARS: uis, LA SAGA COMPLETA en Blu-Ray.

La llegada de STAR WARS: LA SAGA COMPLETA por primera vez en Blu-Ray ha alcanzado cifras récord que le han convertido en la saga de Blu-Ray más vendida en la historia de España en sus primeras 24 horas.

Según palabras de Jacobo Vila, Director de Marketing de 2oth Century Fox Home Entertainment España, “poder disfrutar de la Saga más internacional en alta definición y con más de 40 horas de contenidos añadidos ha convencido a fans de la Saga y al consumidor en general”.

La implantación del Blu-Ray en España no es tan alta como la del DVD “pero muchos se están animando a pasarse al Blu-Ray para poder disfrutar de películas tan espectaculares como LA SAGA COMPLETA de STAR WARS”, también ha afirmado Jacobo Vila.

“Han despertado mucho interés las trilogías por separado, pero las más de 40 horas de documentales, extras y archivos de LucasFilms han seducido a la gran mayoría de los compradores”, continúa porque también se estrenan las dos trilogías en Blu-Ray por separado, La Amenaza Fantasma, El Ataque de los Clones y La Venganza de los Sith, así como Una Nueva Esperanza, El Imperio Contraataca y El Retorno del Jedi, que a su vez contienen comentarios de audio de George Lucas, de los actores principales y del equipo de rodaje.

Más de 4.800 españoles han adquirido STAR WARS: LA SAGA COMPLETA en Blu-Ray en su primera jornada disponible en las tiendas, “una cifra más que considerable teniendo en cuenta la implantación del Blu-Ray en nuestro país y sobre tratándose de un pack que incluye 6 películas, además de los contenidos adicionales” pero es que todas las cifras de esta Saga dan vértigo porque el número de pre reservas ha superado las 150.000 en todo el globo.

© Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. Todos los derechos reservados.

ACERCA DE STAR WARS

El 25 de mayo de 1977 se estrenó Star Wars en los cines –en escasamente 32 salas en toda América- destinada a cambiar la imagen del cine para siempre. Instantáneamente se convirtió en un éxito de taquilla sin precedentes, la entusiasta “ópera del espacio” era a partes iguales un cuento de hadas, un western, un reflejo de los años 30’ y un gran espectáculo de efectos especiales, con raíces mitológicas provenientes de distintas culturas de todo el mundo. Desde el punto de vista del visionario escritor y director George Lucas, la épica fantasía del espacio introduce la fuerza mística en el vocabulario cultural, así como sus icónicos personajes como el malvado Darth Vader, el idealista Luke Skywalker, la guerrera Princesa Leia, el adorable canalla Han Solo y el sabio Obi-Wan Kenobi. Desde su debut en 1977, Star Wars ha continuado creciendo, su sugerente narrativa ha seguido expandiéndose desde sus modestos inicios hasta la épica saga de seis películas relatando la caída y redención del Elegido Anakin Skywalker. http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/

Estreno mundial en Blu-Ray con más de 40 horas de contenidos añadidos de Star Wars

©Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.Todos los derechos reservados

Cuando uno piensa que ya ha visto (y vuelto a ver) todo lo referente a la franquicia más importante de nuestra cultura popular cinematográfica, va George Lucas y decide volver a liarla con un lanzamiento mundial, esta vez en Blu - Ray, con (ya) prácticamente todo lo que siempre quisimos saber sobre La guerra de las galaxias y nunca pudimos preguntar (u obtener respuesta). O no, que nunca se sabe... http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/

Si bien en los últimos años la polémica ha ido de la mano del cineasta californiano (nos referimos a los cambios realizados en las producciones originales para su reestreno cinematográfico de finales de los 90, así como la fallida nueva trilogía posterior), parece que con esta edición trata de callar alguna de las bocas (todas imposible) de los fans que se han sentido ultrajados ante tanto cambio y mutación. Una especie de "quid pro quo", en donde el creador se sale con la suya a cambio de ofrecer más, si cabe, de esta galaxia muy muy lejana...

Star Wars lightsaber bottle opener

While it’s going to take a while before the technology to develop lightsabers is developed to give every Jedi wannabe a light saber, how does having a functional replica sound like to you? Though in this case, functional means bottle opener instead of laser-tipped blade for cutting and other misc activities. The Star Wars lightsaber bottle opener is 5.5″ long and acts as a keychain when not in use. http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/

While making sure you won’t ever get thirsty, again, this bottle opener will put a smile on the face of friends and family you serve with this toy (provided they actually know what it means). The Star Wars lightsaber bottler opener is available now for $16.99 from Think Geek (and yes, it is an officially licensed Star Wars product just in case you were wondering).

cortadores de galletas de Star Wars

Siguiendo con los productos de la conocida saga Star Wars, se puede decir que no dejan de salir accesorios para todo y productos para deleite de sus fans. Si bien los cortadores de galletas es algo habitual en las conocidas sagas, ideales para decorar las galletas y lucir tu habilidad en la cocina. Ahora contamos con todo un set completo.

Otra oportunidad más con todo un set llamado Star Wars Cookie Cutter. Si te falta alguno personaje de la saga o quieres decorar tus galletas con variopintos personajes de Star Wars, ahora podrás hacerlo de una manera fácil, rápida y sencilla.

Más sobre

• Darth Vader

En total son ocho piezas que representan a distintos personajes y elementos de la saga. Piezas que poseen los bordes para cortar y una especie de sellos para darle a las galletas los detalles necesarios para su decoración posterior y el toque definitivo. Todo ello con un resorte que permite utilizar el accesorio de manera más cómoda y para que no suponga ningún esfuerzo.

Ocho cuchillas con diferentes personajes y naves que son: Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda, stormtrooper, Halcon Milenario, TIE Fighter de Vader, Estrella de la Muerte y X-wing Fighter. Cada cortador de galletas incluye un mecanismo para expulsar la galleta cortada. http://laguerradelasgalaxias-starwars.blogspot.com/

Después le pones un poco de decoración y color y ya tienes tus galletas personalizadas de Star Wars.

Vía de compra: todokawaii

Star Wars: X-Wing and TIE Fighter series are some of the most beloved space-sims in gaming history

Star Wars: X-Wing and TIE Fighter series are some of the most beloved space-sims in gaming history. Fantasy Flight Games is tapping into this love with Star Wars: X-Wing, a new miniature game. While this is cool, the news makes us wonder why LucasArts can't revive the fantastic series.

According to the Fantasy Flight Games website, Star Wars: X-Wing features "tactical ship-to-ship" combat, with players flying X-wings and TIE fighters. At $39.95, the starter set comes with painted miniatures and scenarios. And based on the game's website, it's a good bet that Fantasy Flight is planning on expansions with more missions and miniatures. I wonder if the series will dip into any of the cool battles found in the Expanded Universe, such as the Battle for Coruscant (when the New Republic finally wrests the galactic capital from the remains of the Empire).

Lapices de la Guerra de las Galaxias

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