Rick McCallum: Star Wars TV To Be ‘Much Darker’
Star Wars producer and George Lucas collaborator Rick McCallum is spilling a few more beans on the upcoming live action Star Wars TV show. George Lucas’ faithful collaborator tells the website Tosche Station that it is still early on, but that he “cannot wait to show everyone the TV series.†He describes it as “much darker and more character based†than the films.
Excerpts of the interview related to the Star Wars TV show…
Will â€Young Indiana Jones†be used as a blueprint for the upcoming live action Star Wars television series?
No, the Star Wars television series will be used as a blueprint for how we’re going to do our own films, the more personal movies George wants to make, how we’re going to use technology to make a movie for 10 or 15 million dollars with a lot of effects in it. Nowadays movies cost a lot of money and it doesn’t work. Movies are too expensive. It’s about how to change the perimeters of how do you set up the movie, how do you shoot it around the world, how do you make it look big in a more reasonable way. Most people forget that it takes three and a half, four years to make a Star Wars film. It’s long and that is why we are so excited to make the TV series because it’s much more character driven, you make a mistake one week and fix it the next week. You got this extraordinary story of twenty years between Episode III and IV while Luke is growing up that needs to be explored. So, we are looking forward to it. One of the things we are also looking forward to is finding a new group of talent to work with on feature films very much the same way as we did with Young Indy. Almost everyone that worked on Young Indy stayed with us for seventeen years or longer and some are still with us. Now we’re gonna start off with a new group, the next generation of filmmakers.
Could you tell us something about the status of the Star Wars television series? Something about the actors maybe?
I can’t tell you anything about actors because we’re not there yet. This is a long process to get it right. First of all: where are we going to shoot? Then: who’s going to write? And finally: who’s going to direct? George has been working for the last seven, eight months on the story arc line of where the series goes. The dream is to do way over one hundred hours of it. If we can get it right, we have some fantastic characters that nobody has ever met before and start a whole other world of Star Wars that comes out every week instead of every three years.
Will any of the older characters appear in the series?
It’s a whole different group of characters.
When do you expect the first episode will be televised?
That’s tough. The TV world is changing a lot. Hopefully we will have finished the first episode by the end of 2008, so that in 2009 it can come out.
An important question a lot of non-American fans are probably wondering about is if they will have to wait longer to see series in comparison to the American fans? In other words: will it be released worldwide at the same time?
Too early too tell, but most likely worldwide.
Excellent!
We know we have a large group of fans that don’t want to wait. It’s one of the reasons we push the release dates of our movies so that everyone can see it at the same time.
No firm date has been given, but the show is expected sometime around 2009
Wow, still a long ways off. Every litttle bit more I hear about this, the more and more excited I get for it. I am looking forward to a new set of Characters to follow in the Star Wars universe, but hopefully they have some from the Films as well.
Yes, the new animated series will start before this. That starts in 2008 and the live action show in 2009. Something to look forward to.
Here is a little more news about the TV shows.. got this from Fox411.com news site.
Lucas, by the way, says he is readying "Clone Wars," an animated series for TV that's derived from "Star Wars." Many "Star Wars" characters appear in "Clone Wars," but voiced by other actors.
And here's a little news: Lucas tells me he will make two more live-action films based in the "Star Wars" era.
"But they won't have members of the Skywalker family as characters," he said. "They will be other people of that milieu."
The two extra films will also be made for TV and probably be an hour long each. But, like "Clone Wars," Lucas doesn't know where on TV they will land.
Cool News, would nice to see something about other Characters in the Universe
Quote from: jedijeff on May 10, 2007, 09:02:41 PM
Cool News, would nice to see something about other Characters in the Universe
I agree...maybe the more critical fans will give it a chance if the Skywalkers are absent from the story line. In a sense, its a blank slate.
I'm so excited about this show. If he gets the right folks to take the reigns it could surpass Battlestar Galactica.
Sounds like he's just writing the over arching story, and leaving the details to someone else. His vision has always been genius, but his dialog has needed help from time to time. Lets hope the writers he chooses are particularly good at dialog....I have no doubt that the costumes, special effects and actors will be up to snuff.
I am looking forward to whatever Lucas makes. It should be interesting to see what he comes up with. I just hope he doesn't cheese out.
Cheese out. Hmmm. I like that phrase. It grows on you. :troopersmile
Quote from: moyer777 on May 11, 2007, 07:00:36 AM
I am looking forward to whatever Lucas makes. It should be interesting to see what he comes up with. I just hope he doesn't cheese out.
Cheese out. Hmmm. I like that phrase. It grows on you. :troopersmile
Ummmmmmm......cheeeeeeese.
In the past few weeks, rumors have cropped up that there could be a new series of “Star Wars†movies headed directly to the small-screen.
Turns out these rumors are false.
Lucasfilm representative Steve Sansweet squashed the speculation and updated fans on what they can expect from “a galaxy far, far away…â€
“I can absolutely tell you that is not true,†he said. “There are going to be two more Star Wars television series. One of them is well into production. That is Star Wars: Clone Wars. It’s a CG animated show, which we suspect will be on the air sometime next year. And then George and Rick McCullen were just now starting work on a live action series. A drama. That will probably be coming out in 2009 or 2010. He is actively at work on both of those. But the CG animated series is more adult. It has a lot of humor in it. It is very cinematic.â€
Sansweet also confirms that there’s no plans to air footage at the upcoming SW Celebration convention - “The tv show has not yet found a home on television. Until that happens, they are telling me that they are unable to show any actual footage.â€
Casting For Live-Action Star Wars TV Series Begins
Show will spotlight turbulent period after 'Revenge of the Sith'
By BRYANT GRIFFIN
Mar-10-2009
A live-action TV series set in the Star Wars universe is now casting, according to MTV News.
Actresss Rose Byrne of the Nicolas Cage thriller "Knowing" recently indicated that Lucas is seeking actors to for the series. "A lot of my friends have been auditioning for it," she said.
The show will explore the undocumented time period between "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" and "Star Wars" (Episode IV - A New Hope), featuring minor characters seen in episodes one through three. Much of the action will focus on the rise of the Rebel Alliance as it struggles to thwart the Empire and its Stormtroopers. However, don't expect appearances by Darth Vader and the Jedi.
Lucas will shoot a year's worth of episodes before seeking a network for the series. This is the same production tactic he used with the animated feature film "Clones Wars" and the Cartoon Network series that followed.
Work on the scripts for the live-action show began in 2008, according to Lucas. But with casting just now underway, and "Clone Wars" demanding creative attention, it appears fans will endure a long wait.
Byrne, who played Dormé in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her work on FX's "Damages," will not audition for the series. "I'm on a show," Byrne said. "I don't know if I look that good in space.
"My experience [on 'Attack of the Clones'] was wonderful. George is a great guy. I was just there for a week, standing behind Natalie [Portman] looking very demure and supportive. 95% of the fan mail I get is from 'Star Wars' and I've never seen them."
News of the live-action series broke in 2005 while Lucas was promoting "Revenge of the Sith." He will write and produce the first season before relinquishing the creative reins. At that point, he will remain aboard as executive producer.
"It's a much darker, much more character-based series, much more adult ..." producer Rick McCallum said in an interview at Celebration Europe. "It's something that can go on for years and years."
McCallum's description of a darker "Star Wars" universe presents an interesting clash of tones. Can Lucas craft a gritty atmosphere in the same universe as Jar Jar Binks?
Regardless, Lucas is hooked on the challenge of TV. "I love television," he said in a ign.com interview. "It's a lot more fun than features. If one show doesn't work, oh well, next week you're on to the next! For me, the future is in television."
Awesome news. I have been following the latest on this on the ForceCast podcast as well. I think a 2010 premiere is in the cards!
Bring it on!
YES! I can't wait.
About time! This is great news.
BTW does this get the record for the oldest resuscitated thread? ;D
Excellent news! I wonder if SciFi would pick it up, or perhaps one of the major networks.
I am hoping this will be awesome. More STAR WARS ... YES!
More Star Wars! Just what the doctor ordered. :r2d2line
Isnt Lucas capable of going elsewhere in his universe? I am a Star Wars fan also, but im really tired of the fact that GL seems locked in pre-ROTJ mode. I just cant get excited about a show that is between ep4 and 5, or 3 and 4, or 2 and 3 or whatever.
And no Vader? Thats silly. I would like to think that major players like that would be invovled, at least on some level. He is the Emperors 2nd, for the entire time the show will take place. Put a guy in the suit, digitally do the voice, and avoid the 'NOOOOO!!' stuff.
I will likely watch it, but im no more excited about this than the whole Caprica thing for BSG...it all makes me sleepy.
This is some very disappointing news... maybe will see them sometime in the future.
http://blastr.com/2010/08/star-wars-live-action-tv.php (http://blastr.com/2010/08/star-wars-live-action-tv.php)
Star Wars live action TV show shelved because it costs too much
If you've been holding your breath for that live-action Star Wars TV show we told you about, it's time you stopped—because the guy who should know better than anyone has said the series he's been working on for at least five years won't be happening anytime soon.
The series was meant to be (depending on whom you listened to) either 100 episodes set between Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope or a massive arc of somewhere around 400 episodes focused on non-Jedi or Sith characters.
But during a special reception held as part of digital screenings of Star Wars—Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back at Chicago's Field Museum a couple of months back, George Lucas spoke to 102 people who paid $200 apiece for the privilege and let them know it was unlikely they'd see ANY of those episodes soon.
Here's what he had to say (and we can't believe we missed this until now):
The live action TV show is kind of on hold because we have scripts, but we don't know how to do 'em. Because, they literally are Star Wars, only we're going to have to try to do them ... a tenth the cost. And, it's a huge challenge ... lot bigger than what we thought it was gonna be.
So are you upset because a live-action Star Wars TV series is proving impossible? Or relieved?
very sad indeed.
Yeah, they reported that on the ForceCast last month.
I'm not entirely upset. I would have watched them if they made it to TV but I think Star Wars is a better fit for the big screen. Star Trek on the other hand I think is a better fit for TV and I would like to see another series sometime in the future.
Kevin
Personally, I think it is all part of the behind the scenes wheeling and dealing. I'm sure talks will still be taking place and it'll come....eventually. As for being better fit for the big screen....I'm not so sure. If they did what they said and stayed away from the main characters for the most part, I'm sure it would work great.
Sad news, but I'll tell you George I think you need to find a way to control your costs better. Looks at the fan films out there. Yes, I know they are not quite SW film quality, but man, you don't need to spend millions to do this. That's what computer tech has allowed us to do. You can do some amazing stuff these days. Frankly, I think it's a bit of a lame excuse - the cost. Really??
Quote from: Rico on August 06, 2010, 01:45:37 PM
Sad news, but I'll tell you George I think you need to find a way to control your costs better. Looks at the fan films out there. Yes, I know they are not quite SW film quality, but man, you don't need to spend millions to do this. That's what computer tech has allowed us to do. You can do some amazing stuff these days. Frankly, I think it's a bit of a lame excuse - the cost. Really??
I agree, this doesn't seem to pass the smell test. I think the cost issue is an excuse to shelve the project. Why? Beats me, maybe they weren't happy with the early development direction. The fanboy in me hopes it's so they can make a new movie as that is George's passion, but that's likely wishfull thinking.
There never seemed to be much information released about the Live Action series to make me believe that this would become a reality, and some of the information was conflicting. I guess in the end, I was never really expecting it to happen, so I am not all that disappointed.
Quote from: jedijeff on August 06, 2010, 04:27:39 PM
There never seemed to be much information released about the Live Action series to make me believe that this would become a reality, and some of the information was conflicting. I guess in the end, I was never really expecting it to happen, so I am not all that disappointed.
True, there was a lot of rumor and internet speculation, but both Steve Sansweet and Rick McCallum both discussed it in public and at conventions over the past year. So there's lot's of smoke and a tiny bit of fire, but not enough I suppose.
Someone posted this on the RPF and I recall hearing a similar story. Now this does make sense. Play a little hardball for a while to get the concession you want. That's not production cost $, things like this are REAL $ to a long term production.
"The main delay for filming ( season 1 and most of season 2 ( as of march 2010 ) scripts are in the bag ) is coz dear old Uncle George has his sights set on filming in a certain eastern european country. Said country is due to change its taxation rules in favour of the film industry at an as yet undecided point in time in the future. As soon as this happens filming will start."
....I thought they'd been casting already in Australia. I seem to remember rumours a few months back on the Forcecast. (unsubstantiated as they were)
Quote from: ori-STUDFARM on August 07, 2010, 05:04:23 AM
....I thought they'd been casting already in Australia. I seem to remember rumours a few months back on the Forcecast. (unsubstantiated as they were)
Yep, I had heard that too. Maybe it will still happen - someday. The Celebration Con is coming up and I'm sure we will learn more from there.
I suspect we'll only get Clone wars series 3 from Celebration V...which isn't a bad thing.
Star Wars Live-Action TV Series Plot Details Revealed, On Hold for Another 3-4 Years
Posted on Monday, June 13th, 2011 by Angie Han
It's been six years since George Lucas first announced that he was developing a live-action Star Wars television series, and it seems we're going to be waiting a little longer yet. In an interview, producer Rick McCallum revealed that he and Lucas would be putting the show on hold for another three to four years — but that when shooting does begin, it will be shot largely in the Czech Republic, possibly in Prague. Hit the jump for more details.
Ten years is a long time for a television series to be in development, and were this another filmmaker, I might've given up hope on this project by now. But Lucas is the guy who gave us a Star Wars prequel sixteen years after his last Star Wars film, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull nineteen years after Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. A decade to develop a series seems almost speedy in comparison.
If the series really does shoot in the Czech Republic, it'll be a return to the county for McCallum and Lucas, who recently shot Red Tails in the country. McCallum and Lucas also filmed scenes for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles series in Prague, back in the 1990s. In the interview with Czech Position (via Bleeding Cool), McCallum praised Czech film crews, saying he'd "absolutely" consider shooting the Star Wars television series in Prague: "This would be one of the primary places because of the talent."
As previously reported, however, the ambitious (read: expensive) scope of the series is holding up the project. Said McCallum:
The TV series is on hold, but that has nothing to do with the Czech Republic; it has to do with [the episodes being] so ambitious... We have 50 hours of third-draft scripts, but the problem we have is there is a lot of digital animation; we don't have the technology yet to be able to do them at a price that is safe for television. Since we would be financing them, it would be suicide for us to do this [now]. So we are going to wait three or four years.
I'm guessing those "50 hours of third-draft scripts" are the same 50 hours ready to go that Lucas mentioned last month. The delay shouldn't come as a huge surprise to anyone who's been following coverage of the series; Lucas has been frank about the problem with trying to make feature-quality episodes on a television budget. Still, depending on how much you trust Lucas to put out a good series, it's either a grave disappointment or a huge relief to hear we may have still more years of waiting ahead.
That is, if we see the series at all. McCallum expressed his (in my opinion, not entirely reasonable) worry that there might not be a place on television for his series at all by the time it's ready to go:
Network television and cable television as we know it are completely imploding, so we're not really sure that in five years' time we can release a dramatic one-hour episode because it is all reality TV now.
McCallum also spoke a bit about the plotline of the show, which will take place between Episodes III and IV in the Star Wars timeline — during Luke's teen years, though the series won't actually have anything to do with Luke himself.
Basically, it is like 'The Godfather'; it's the Empire slowly building up its power base around the galaxy, what happens in Coruscant, which is the major capital, and it's [about] a group of underground bosses who live there and control drugs, prostitution.
Bleeding Cool likens McCallum's description to /Filmcast favorite The Wire, which seems apt except that I don't believe for a second that Lucas will demonstrate the same nuance and devotion to character that made the HBO series so beloved.
So to recap: In about three to five years, we can expect to see a Czech-shot live-action Star Wars television series that plays like an unsubtle, sci-fi version of The Wire — but only if Keeping Up with the Kardashians hasn't ruined American television by then.
The Live Action Star Wars Series Gets a Working Title
Source: IGN
January 9, 2012
The bad news for fans eagerly anticipating the live action "Star Wars" series is that not much has changed since word broke last June that the massive production is currently on hold, awaiting costs to drop to a point that will make the FX-heavy undertaking financially feasible. Producer Rick McCallum is hoping that won't be too far off, however, and today told IGN that the show even has a working title: "Star Wars: Underworld."
"It's underneath what's going on," he reiterated about the series' focus, "It's the criminals and the gangs. The guys who are running Wall Street, basically. The guys who are running the United States."
Even if the series is a few more years away, McCallum says there's no risk in the scripts become dating and that the delay can only make the show stronger.
"They're timeless," he explains. "They take place between Episode III and Episode IV. That 20 year period when Luke is growing up. It's not about Luke, but it's about that period when the Empire is trying to take things [over]."
Read more: The Live Action Star Wars Series Gets a Working Title - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=85791#ixzz1j0UarGYH (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=85791#ixzz1j0UarGYH)
It sounds great - hate to have to wait for it.
I've never really bought the "it's too expensive" to make excuse. I mean when you see what can be done with digital effects these days I really don't see the problem. I think it's mainly Uncle George having many things going on at once and limited time. Blu-Ray's, Clone Wars, 3D releases, Red Tails, etc. One guy can only watch over so much.
I don't buy it either. It doesn't have to be FX laden to be good and having loads of FX won't make it good.
It might be a timing issue with the people he wants involved are busy on other projects or he simply doesn't have the time to give it the personal attention that he thinks it needs like Rico says.
Oh, I certainly think cost plays a major role in LucasFilms consideration of doing this project. It's a business and is run as such. Just beceause we think it can be done for what we preceive as cost effective is pure speculation. GL has accountants far wiser then us and if the math isn't compelling and if it's not a passion for the CEO, it will sit on the shelf. I agree his creative plate has been very full recently and if he turns his energy towards the projecxt it would likely come to fruition, but he won't do itr if the economics can't be made to work to his benefit.
Quote from: Bryancd on January 10, 2012, 05:06:22 AM
Oh, I certainly think cost plays a major role in LucasFilms consideration of doing this project. It's a business and is run as such. Just beceause we think it can be done for what we preceive as cost effective is pure speculation. GL has accountants far wiser then us and if the math isn't compelling and if it's not a passion for the CEO, it will sit on the shelf. I agree his creative plate has been very full recently and if he turns his energy towards the projecxt it would likely come to fruition, but he won't do itr if the economics can't be made to work to his benefit.
I'm not sure what the delay is, but if the guy says the cost, then I'm just going to nod and smile. After watching the latest GL interview on The Daily Show, he has a ton of good will from me and I've actually accepted his need to tinker with Star Wars. I even understand why he does it because I do it and I hate it about myself. I think that I was projecting my self anger and hindsight has been fantastic in this. I still don't agree with the changes, but boy do I understand them.
I wonder if George is cautious about television and how easily shows can fail and / or get cancelled so quickly and he doesn't want to risk part of the SW franchise being deemed a failure?
Quote from: Dangelus on January 10, 2012, 05:38:53 AM
I wonder if George is cautious about television and how easily shows can fail and / or get cancelled so quickly and he doesn't want to risk part of the SW franchise being deemed a failure?
Oh, I would imagine it would be similar to the kind of deal he negotiated with cartoon Network to carry the Clone Wars. When he brings a property to market, he calls the shots, not the network. He'll get whatever deal he wants and won't be canceled after the first season.
Quote from: Bryancd on January 10, 2012, 05:41:01 AM
Quote from: Dangelus on January 10, 2012, 05:38:53 AM
I wonder if George is cautious about television and how easily shows can fail and / or get cancelled so quickly and he doesn't want to risk part of the SW franchise being deemed a failure?
Oh, I would imagine it would be similar to the kind of deal he negotiated with cartoon Network to carry the Clone Wars. When he brings a property to market, he calls the shots, not the network. He'll get whatever deal he wants and won't be canceled after the first season.
Well this makes sense. Considering the costs involved in making the live action show, this may still be under negotiation and hence the delay.
No, I don't think GL is really concerened with distribution. He know's networks well be knocking his door down offering multi season deals but he need it to be good enough to make it be a success and that costs $$.
Could this just be a case of 'cold feet' left over from the Star Wars Holiday Special?
Just do it George.! :starwars: ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on January 10, 2012, 05:56:04 AM
No, I don't think GL is really concerened with distribution. He know's networks well be knocking his door down offering multi season deals but he need it to be good enough to make it be a success and that costs $$.
I get what you're saying, but last night on TDS, he made it clear that distribution of a project is still something that concerns him to this day. Because we are fans, we expect there to be millions of people waiting to see this, but we really don't know if that's the case. We also don't know if the person that decides to air it will turn a profit at all. Sure GL can make money off the DVDs, but is there any broadcast potential on network or basic cable? I'm not sure that the rating would support it and that's what the studios will look at when they are deciding the upfronts.
GL and the companies he has could make a killing off of the show, but how many people would put the show on knowing that the lions share of the profits will be in the DVDs and toys that they don't get a piece of?
At the end of the day, things have to be cheap enough for him to practically give away the show with the knowledge that he will make his money back through the marketing and disc sales.
I could understand that Chris. I'm sure GL still suffers from project insecurities despite all his success I bet the failures haunt him even more. But I think he would likely look at cable outlets for this project as opposed to network just so he could have some guarantee that he could lock it in for a few seasons.
He should sell it via the web and take the networks and middle man out of the whole deal. Sell it right to the fans. George can be an innovator, and this is the future of content delivery (in my opinion). Music has gone this way, books, and soon most movies and TV shows will be this way too. Get aboard George!
Quote from: Rico on January 10, 2012, 08:31:30 AM
He should sell it via the web and take the networks and middle man out of the whole deal. Sell it right to the fans. George can be an innovator, and this is the future of content delivery (in my opinion). Music has gone this way, books, and soon most movies and TV shows will be this way too. Get aboard George!
Agree 100% and I wouldn't be surprised. If anyone could revolutionize the TV content distribution model it's someone like GL who had has the clout and the financial wherewithal to pull it off. Hell, create enough content and he could start an oline STAR WARS TV channel.
I've got it....
George Lucas + an Apple TV set with the SW channel App!
I'd buy that!
Quote from: Rico on January 10, 2012, 08:40:04 AM
I've got it....
George Lucas + an Apple TV set with the SW channel App!
I'd buy that!
...just wait...and buy Apple stock... :)
Quote from: Bryancd on January 10, 2012, 06:54:44 AM
I could understand that Chris. I'm sure GL still suffers from project insecurities despite all his success I bet the failures haunt him even more. But I think he would likely look at cable outlets for this project as opposed to network just so he could have some guarantee that he could lock it in for a few seasons.
If he does that, he might have a better chance of getting it out.
If I were him, I'd try to TNG it out for the first few seasons. They provide the air time and they get the show for free if we get to have some of that ad time as well.
Then I would promote the hell out of the licencee that have Star Wars interests and get paid by them to do it.
I'd also toss in a new toy line and sweeten the pot by having some adverts thrown into the slots and get a bigger piece of the pie since I'm helping with some of the advertisements.
But for me to do all of the, the show would have to be cheap to make since it will be an out of pocket expense at least in the beginning.
http://collider.com/rick-mccallum-red-tails-star-wars-tv-series-interview/138426/ (http://collider.com/rick-mccallum-red-tails-star-wars-tv-series-interview/138426/)
Interview with Rick McCallum where he talks about the new TV show and Red Tails. Interesting point is that each episode of Star wars:Underworld has to be made for 5 million dollars.