Nice time at the Academy (1 Viewer)

[RobertR]

A friend invited me to a special showing at the Samuel L. Goldwyn theater in Beverly Hills, which is the theater of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. They were showing Rogue One and an original theatrical print of Star Wars, ie before Lucasification. The audience was very enthusiastic. Prior to the showing of Star Wars, I noticed that the row in front of us was reserved. An attractive young woman showed up, and was talking to an older man who she said was her dad. Before the film, the older man got up on stage and was introduced as John Dykstra, He sat right in front of me the whole time for the film, and was enjoying himself. On display was the Dykstraflex camera and a model of the Millennium Falcon. An enjoyable day.

 

[Wayne_j]

I'm just surprised Lucasfilm let them screen the original version of Star Wars.

 

[RobertR]

I'm just surprised Lucasfilm let them screen the original version of Star Wars.

The Academy director said a big effort was made to persuade Lucas to allow it, and it succeeded.

 

[Jake Lipson]

a big effort was made to persuade Lucas to allow it.

Lucas? Or Lucasfilm? That's an important distinction.

Lucas himself has no control over Star Wars anymore, so it would seem to be Disney they had to convince.

 

[RobertR]

Lucas? Or Lucasfilm? That's an important distinction.

Lucas himself has no control over Star Wars anymore, so it would seem to be Disney they had to convince.

The director was specific in saying George Lucas, not Lucasfilm or Disney, so it would appear that he does have the say in the matter. Why would Disney need a huge amount of convincing? It's always been George Lucas himself who has been very adamant about the issue.

 

[Wayne_j]

It would be Disney because they own the movie outright. It is possible that Lucas got Disney to agree never to let the original version be screened, which if the case, George being convinced to allow the screening would hold sway with Disney.

 

[Tino]

My brother was at the same event and actually met with Dykstra.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Lucasfilm (and by extension, Disney) has the final say over what’s allowed to be screen.

In her capacity as Lucasfilm head, Kathleen Kennedy has said that she’s deferring to George Lucas’s wishes when it comes to the original versions.

Therefore, if you want to show the original version... while there may not be a legal obligation for them to do so, Lucasfilm still defers to Lucas. But it’s understandable that permission would be given for a special event specifically in honor of the man who did the original effects.

 

[Tino]