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Send rumors and comments to SuperShadow at swtpm2@aol.com
After carefully analyzing the plot to TPM, it seems it is very similar to the first one, SW4: A New Hope?
The two films are thematically very similar, but it's for a reason. I'm also re-using certain plot elements and character types. The first film in a trilogy introduces all the characters or most of the ones that will be important all throughout the trilogy. The first film, in my mind, always focuses on the journey of the hero. In the first film, Luke Skywalker was the hero who had to make his journey towards destiny. In the new film, Anakin Skywalker is the hero who begins his journey towards destiny. I re-used many of the same or similar ideas because that's the way mythological stories have been written for thousands of years. I didn't invent the formula, but I think it is important to stick to this formula if you hope to create a lasting mythological saga . . . When I made the first film, I didn't have enough time, money or technology to do it right. With the new film, I've had all the money, time and technology to make the best Star Wars film that I believe is possible. I'm just doing what I wanted to do twenty years ago, but was unable to do.
You commented recently that you will be surprised if TPM makes over $ 400 million this summer. Why?
The only film that ever made over $ 400 million in its first release was Titanic. Star Wars didn't do it. E.T. didn't and Jurassic Park didn't. It just seems to me to be unlikely that the new film is going to do much more than half or so of Titanic. It's a great film, but there is tremendous competition during the summer months. However, if the fans watch the film many, many times then I will be proven wrong.
Why release the novelization of the film so early (May 3rd)?
The plot is already available on the Internet so they (Lucas Licensing) thought it would be a good idea to release the story in official formats prior to the film's release. If the plot hadn't leaked, then, obviously, our plans would have been different.
Are you surprised by all the attention the new film is getting?
Yes. Star Wars is all about surprises. The success of the film in the seventies was surprising. The reaction to the Special Editions was phenomenal and now the new film has taken on a life of its own in the mass media. It's really hard to control all the exposure the film is garnering . . . I'll probably be shocked by the success the film will enjoy this summer.
Will Indiana Jones 4 be out by 2001?
Before I started filming the prequels, everyone - and I mean everyone - was always asking me: "When are you going to make another Star Wars?" I answered: "One day." Well, now, everyone wants to know when the next Indy film is going to happen. If it were up to me, the film would already be in at least pre-production. However, until Steven and Harrison are ready to make the film, nothing is going to happen. I would be surprised if the film is out by 2001.