Fox & Disney • LucasFilm Live-Action Series Talks

[darthpsychotic]

August 17 2007

source: JHM.com

According to Disney News site: Jim Hill Media.com, Disney started preliminary talks with LucasFilm for the Star Wars Live-Action TV Series to be broadcast on it's ABC channels. In addition, longtime LucasFilm partner NewsCorp have begun talks for it's FOX & FX channels.








SUMMARY:

• Disney & Lucas talks are allegedly at a very preliminary stage.
No decisions have been made at this point pro or con.
Disney offered all of its marketing might behind the launch of the Live-Action Series.

• Key components of Disney's plan reportedly include introducing the show's cast at next years Star Wars Weekends and prime timeslots on both ABC & ABC Family.

• NewsCorp Reps also met with Lucas and mapped out a similar marketing campaign.
NewsCorp offered FOX and FX as possible distribution channels for the new Star Wars TV show.

• Lucas is looking to avoid what happened with last foray into television: The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
The edutainment program debuted on ABC in March 1992 and ended after 44 shows which wasn't enough for syndication.

• Lucas reportedly wants to shoot 100 episodes of the new Star Wars Television Series.
With getting a return on investment through DVD sales and digital downloads of individual episodes.

• ILM insiders tell Jim Hill Media.com that Lucas is still months away from making final airing decisions due to production of Indiana Jones IV.
"Not to mention getting all of those teleplays ready for the start of shooting next year."

[hypertext]

I would love to see this show on FX, they could push the envelope that much further with the violence and dark tone of the series. However, Fox or ABC would have a lot more viewers so I think it's more likely that it will go to one of those stations.

[Bandersnatch]

I would love to see this show on FX, they could push the envelope that much further with the violence and dark tone of the series.

I don't think the distributor or broadcaster would have much if any input in the creative side of the series.

[Cryostar]

I could see this on the FX Channel, but not on Fox Prime time.

I could also see this on ABC Family for some reason....isn't that sickening...

[TroyObliX]

Please oh please, let whatever network suit that suggests putting this on Mondays at 9PM-Eastern/8PM-Central be fired or killed immediately after. I don't care what channel it lands on, I doubt it will make a difference in the content that gets aired. I just really hope it doesn't go up against Heroes, because I was really digging that show. But I'd ditch it in a heartbeat for Star Wars TV.

And from the trolling I've done in the past at Disney forums, mainly wdwmagic, Jim Hill has a somewhat dubious reputation as far as rumors like this are concerned. From what I've read there, he isn't usually entirely off, just a bit of an embelisher. For instance, the article linked above also mentions talk of a "Lucas-Land" of sorts rumored to be constructed at the newly renamed Disney Hollywood studios (formerly Disney MGM Studios) to coincide with the opening of the hopefully happening Star Tours 2.0, the new Indy film, and the new SW-TV series. I'd think thats kind of grandiose plan for a group in such early distribution negotiations to even be considering. But it would kick major ass if it were legit.

If they want to build a Tatooine cantina or Imperial mess hall themed resturaunt in place of the god awful 'Toy Story Pizza Planet', I'd eat there regardless of the shitty food.

Thanks for the info DP! Can't wait for this to finally be on TV.

[TiniTinyTony]

I really hope ABC picks it up. FX is losing "The Shield" after next year, the Star Wars cartoon can do wonders for their ratings.

[Cryostar]

I can live without ABC and their "Family Values" having an impact on anything that they show.

I know, you can say George is going to make them and sell them as is, but that doesn' t man that ABC doesn't have it's own editors that can slice and dice when they feel the need.

[Mr J in the UK]

Disney and Star Wars? A nasty mix. I can cope with their theme park rides (although those stoopid Mickey Mouse Stormtrooper/Vader/Gladys the Hutt action figures and other nonsense merchandise makes me want to destroy the place) but on TV? No sirreeeee! Get your hands off Mr Disney!

I think SKY will probably pick it up in the UK, Mr Murdoch loves a cash-cow (I like em too, especially if one were to be nudged off a nearby skyscraper onto his head! ).

[Mr J in the UK]

I rest my case:

Stoopid Disney Stormtrooper Car
even more ridiculous Grievous motor
and finally...a Vader Mobile.

Give me strength...

[Biggs]

I'm gonna make the call this far out and say the Live Action series will be horrible....unless George acts as "Consultant" and they hire ACTUAL TV writers...

[Topeka]

I hope you're wrong, Biggs. I'm more looking forward to this one than the Clone Wars.

[Raveers]

Here we go with the "If Lucas is involved it will suck!" crowd again....

[Bandersnatch]

I rest my case:

Stoopid Disney Stormtrooper Car
even more ridiculous Grievous motor
and finally...a Vader Mobile.

Give me strength...

What's wrong with those? They could just be toys. Or if they appear in the series, they could be background stuff, not main vehicles.

[ETandElliott]

The awful toys are GL's fault. Not directly, but he hands out the Star Wars license like it's crack. Have you seen that vintage C-3PO tape dispenser where you pull tape from between 3PO's legs? Jesus.

[Biggs]

I'd buy that! Freakin' sweet!

[TroyObliX]

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I actually thought the Grievous and Vader cars looked kind of neat. I'm going to buy one of each now for sure, just to irritate Mr J. Pics to follow! I won't be down there for 3 weeks, but I hope they have some left when I get there.

That 3PO tape dispenser is dopedness also. Allthough a slave leia one would make more sense, as I always assumed Carrie Fisher had a sticky crotch.

I'm actually going to Disney World on Sept 17th, and I might have to tag MF.com on Star Tours somewheres. I'm gonna wait till the last day of our vacation though, in case I get kicked out.

[Mr J in the UK]

I’ve bought my fair share of Star Wars merchandise/junk over the years, so much so that the loft ceiling is starting to bow under the weight of it all. I just don’t like all this sugary Disney stuff, they’ve got enough of that already without painting Star Wars with its candy coated toilet brush. Disney SW merchandise shivers me’ timbers much like the Holiday Special did and still does when I think of it whhrrrrr. I think possibly a new thread is required for pictures of the naffest Lucas Films handshakes with a toy manufacture. I’d wager these:

Goof Vader
Giant turd with a biscuit background
Vader's Chopper...sounds like a porno
Spudtrooper with his spud masher

"Would you like 400 million dollars sir?": Get off him, you damn, dirty, mouse...

[darthpsychotic]

Jim Hill Media.com updated recently rehashing the recent TMZ.com writers report, a recent Insider magazine article, and some speculation:

[hr]
Jim Hill Media.com 8.27.2007 update

Whereas that computer-animated "Clone Wars" series. That's in production right now and could be available for airing as soon as the Fall of 2008. And that's the sort of show that Mickey could easily cross-platform at ABC, ABC Family, the Disney Channel and Toon Disney.

...

Now please keep in mind that this is far from a done deal. The way I hear it, Disney has some very stiff competition when it comes to that "Clone Wars" TV series. With both Fox and HBO having allegedly already put in extremely competitive bids for the broadcast rights for this show.

[hr]

Well if Disney gets The Clone Wars 2008 broadcast rights it surely won't be on the Disney Channel but on it's ABC Channels. Seeing how Lucas stated on Conan O'Brien that the animated series will be PG-13 and announced at Celebration IV that the program will Hi-Def, I doubt the series could even be put on Disney Channel.

The only rumored channel that can meet the requirements of PG-13 and Hi-Def would be HBO.

[Bandersnatch]

[hr]
Jim Hill Media.com 8.27.2007 update

Whereas that computer-animated "Clone Wars" series....

...when it comes to that "Clone Wars" TV series.[hr]

Henceforth shall be referred to as "that clone war tv series."

[Mr J in the UK]

ABC, HBO, Ted Danson's Electric Basement, gone past caring on this one just get it on! Either that or give us a meaty 2nd trailer.

[Mr J in the UK]

Ah! More to haunt me...

Disney Warriors

Stich? WTF!

[Topeka]

Come on, nothing beats Jar Jar's tongue/penis lollipop:

[ETandElliott]

Holy shit I've never seen that before. Man there was a lot of Jar Jar crap.

[hypertext]

Damn, that's just like a dog's Red Rocket. Wrong, just plain wrong.

[TroyObliX]

I actually have a couple of odd Jar Jar collectibles packed away somewhere. Nothing as strange as the dog-penis-lollipop, but yeah he was everywhere when TPM came out.

And I still don't hate the Disney crossovers either. Stitch reminds me a lot of my cat. Built to destroy. Ohana means family, damn it.

Rabid commercialization? Sure. But if that strikes you as out of place, I have to wonder if you've just discovered Star Wars recently. Because that isn't really a new thing. I had Star Wars bed sheets and a robe (still have that actually) back in 79'. Sleeping and showering had nothing to do with Star Wars, and it didn't seem to matter back then. Hell, those Disney figures look a lot more interesting than the goofy (ha!) looking Galactic Heroes line, I think. There are plenty of collectibles and toys I wouldn't bother buying. And I don't have a messy mess in my pants because of them. I'm starting to think Mr.J was traumatized by a furry or someone in a mouse costume at some point.

I could be wrong.

[Mr J in the UK]

I was…(compose yourself, Mr J)…I was held captive by two guys dressed as Goofy and Pluto for 7 years. They…they took advantage of meeee…they made me watch back to back episodes of the Disney Club. Maybe that’s why I tried to assassinate Justin Timberlake. Hmmm…I must mention this to my psychiatrist.

Admittedly, I’m new to MF (only 25 posts, that’s appallingly) but have been lurking in the background for a longgggg timeee. But new to SW I am not. I had all the figures in the 70s, a superb Vader t-shirt (that I wish was still being made today), PJs, posters, cups, pants...loads of gubbins. Perhaps you’re right, I’m being a touch hard on these Disney figures. Maybe it’s the cynical side of me that hates massive corporations making even more money, especially through something I love.

It’s got to a stage that even Donald “Bantha on my head” Trump uses SW for his own gain! One of “his” Apprentice shows was dedicated to it. I could imagine the Lucas executive shaking his hand and passing DT a case of used readies, perhaps shedding a tear afterwards for selling his soul to a Sith Lord in such a naff way.

Anyway, I digress, yes, TroyOblix, it’s probably the cash that makes me despise these things. I’m also a hypocrite cos I loved the Florida, LA and even the Paris Disney…but I may set fire to the SW stand on my next visit. I will lay off attacking the Disney crew though and I appreciate that like yourself, there are people that enjoy this kind of stuff and it is sort of fun.

PS You're right about those Galactic Heroes, fuck me, they are shite beyond belief. Trying to get toddlers interested in something so they can identify with it when they’re 12! Isn’t that what the movies are for?

PPS I’d like fourteen crates of the Jar Jar Dog Cock please. Not for kinky purposes you understand, I just want to sell them to my work colleagues…they’d crack up!

[TroyObliX]

9.35 days, and I'm going to Disney (FL), so don't burn anything down until after that. I pre-paid for it all, and I must get some pics of me mugging Vader. I'm taking my old-school retro digital camera along with me, much to my wifes embarassment. I'm gonna post all the non-porn ones when I get back.

Glad to see you didn't take it too personally Mr J. I admire the fact that you didn't just flip the fuck out about what I said. The world needs more people who can accept that some colorful disagreement isn't an immediate attack on them as a person. Like this fuckin' guy did.

Admittedly, I’m new to MF

Welcome btw, we shall watch you're career with great interest.
(I was channeling creepy molester Palpatine there, didjya notice??)

Sorry about the furrys. The should be brought to (cartoon) justice for thier crimes.

[Mr J in the UK]

“We shall watch your career with great interest. “, isn’t that what they said to Tim Henman before he went on to win er...nothing. Do the Sith have control of the Lawn Tennis Association too? Thanks for the welcome, in retrospect I should have introduced myself to the long timers but I wanted to get myself dirty early on.

Colourful debate is where it’s at. To me there’s no point in freakin out just because someone has a different viewpoint. Not all of us can be right and we shouldn’t be striving for that. Life is about debate and learning, not this is my opinion so shove it up your thermal exhaust port and die which seems to be the mentality of an awful lot of people on the net.

Sarcastic and piss take responses are fair game though but feel free to disagree with me and send me to Spice Mines of Kessel to er umm make a nice spice rack?

PS Look forward to the FL snaps.

[Cryostar]

For some reason, I was expecting the spice girls to be thrown in there sickening, isn't it.