George Lucas and Peter Jackson: Film stories
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Good Bad Billionaire
This episode is titled:
George Lucas and Peter Jackson: Film stories
Notable Quotes
"Your childhood kind of comes back to influence you."
"Failure actually works out pretty well for Coppola... to pay back some of the money that they lose from this Warner deal, he has to take on a paid job to direct a film that makes him The Godfather."
"The studios are signing away the rights to something they haven't even imagined or thought about. But he has, clearly."
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Get More InsightsEpisode Summary
This episode of the podcast dives into the life of George Lucas, showcasing how he transitioned from obscurity to becoming a billionaire through his creation of the Star Wars franchise. It starts with his early life in Modesto, California, emphasizing influences like Flash Gordon and his fascination with storytelling and special effects from a young age.
Lucas's journey included setbacks, such as the flop of his initial film, THX 1138, and the early struggles of American Graffiti, which eventually turned his fortunes around. With smart financial decisions, Lucas secured a deal for Star Wars that would allow him to retain substantial merchandising rights and a huge profit share, fundamentally changing the landscape of box office returns and franchise films.
The episode revisits the initial launch of Star Wars, showcasing how it shattered box office records and subsequently led Lucas to become a major player in Hollywood. Despite encountering criticism over his prequels, Lucas’s success lies not just in film, but in his ability to create a widely recognized and deeply integrated universe within popular culture.
The latter part of the episode discusses Lucas's business acumen and his foresight in adapting to changing studio dynamics, enabling him to build a production empire, which laid the groundwork for his eventual billion-dollar valuation as the technology of franchise filmmaking evolved throughout the decades.
Lucas's journey included setbacks, such as the flop of his initial film, THX 1138, and the early struggles of American Graffiti, which eventually turned his fortunes around. With smart financial decisions, Lucas secured a deal for Star Wars that would allow him to retain substantial merchandising rights and a huge profit share, fundamentally changing the landscape of box office returns and franchise films.
The episode revisits the initial launch of Star Wars, showcasing how it shattered box office records and subsequently led Lucas to become a major player in Hollywood. Despite encountering criticism over his prequels, Lucas’s success lies not just in film, but in his ability to create a widely recognized and deeply integrated universe within popular culture.
The latter part of the episode discusses Lucas's business acumen and his foresight in adapting to changing studio dynamics, enabling him to build a production empire, which laid the groundwork for his eventual billion-dollar valuation as the technology of franchise filmmaking evolved throughout the decades.
Key Takeaways
- George Lucas's early childhood influences played a critical role in shaping his filmmaking career.
- His strategic business negotiations allowed him to retain ownership and profit shares significantly enhancing his wealth.
- Failures in his early filmmaking career cultivated his resilience and determination to succeed.
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