Does Lucasfilm Need New Leadership?

Only three films into their tenure we've already had one film riddled with extensive reshoots and another one that's fired the directors three weeks into production completion. Can people imagine the chaos if Lucas had been doing this on his own trilogies? They would be calling him a control freak and how he should hand over the franchise.

Kathleen Kennedy is not steering the boat in the right direction. I personally find something about her attitude off putting. Especially her agenda driven prerogatives and subtle disdain for the source material.

Realistically, it wont happen until one of these films BOMB hard but anything is possible. With enough turmoil going on behind the scenes maybe disney decides to put someone with a bit more vision in place.

http://screenrant.com/star-wars-spinoff-movies-kathleen-kennedy-han-solo/

 

Speaking of agendas and disdain; pot, meet kettle.

 

I have not read that at all. Personally I think Lord/Miller got the axe because KK wanted changes and they unlike GE didn't budge. I am sure 10 years from now both sides will with they done things differently....especially agreeing to work together.

As for the topic at end, I think they are fine at Lucasfilm...for now. Long term? They need new blood.

 

Especially her agenda driven prerogatives and subtle disdain for the source material.

k

 

I find this most insulting to KK, and reading between the lines it seems the OP has an agenda against her. GL asked her to take over the reins for a reason and her CV more than justifies that decision. According to rumour, it was not just KK's decision to fire Lord and Miller, she asked for other opinions as well.

 

In my opinion, the reasons you listed are actually examples of strong creative leadership. It's extremely gutsy to switch directors right at the end of shooting a movie.

It's very easy to make a bad movie. It happens more often than not. If you look at Pixar's process, they keep editing and changing their movies for years until they work.

If you start from the POV that these SW movies were not working, then what would you need to do to make them work? Probably everything Kathleen Kennedy has done - rewrite scripts, do extensive reshoots, fire directors, etc.


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And that just won't happen for the foreseeable future. Indeed, firing Lord & Miller was designed to avoid the Solo film being poorly received or it causing enough damage to the brand that it opens the possibility of a bomb down the line. We aren't dealing with an amateur here.

 

And with that, I'm moving this to the Lucasfilm forum...

 

The difference to Pixar is that they are making these movies to a tight timeline. It's a very aggressive machine.
At the moment, Han Solo is still due out in May, and if it gets moved it'll only be to December. It's got to get done.

So, brutality is needed. Gareth got the one, and probably only, opportunity to be all artsy and unconventional. That's not happening again. If you're screwing up, you are getting your throat cut.

 

So far her track record is proven. Success at the box office. She also has some major confidence making the decision to release directors at such a late juncture. If she's protecting the property and the value of major legacy characters, more power to her. Anyone can be open to criticism and there may be some legitimate critique her way, not handing off directorial duties to a women for example, but overall she's getting high marks.

 

Well I think who is in charge has the right to be as controlling as they want of the product . I love Rogue One & can't really stand TFA but obviously KK is doing something right financially.

And about this 'agenda driven material' .. specifics ? Some may not see an agenda in the movies

 

Stuff like this http://movieweb.com/star-wars-movies-catering-male-fanbase-kathleen-kennedy/

I just dont think we need to drag the franchise into gamergate nonsense and turn fans against each other. Star Wars was always a progressive franchise no need to get into blatant pandering or propaganda to divide fans. She just rubs me the wrong way with how she talks about the films.

 

Objectively, of course not. As per my personal subjectivity, it sure couldn't hurt given that mostly everything they've done and said since taking over has failed to speak to me as a SW fan.

 

There is no logic behind an argument against women leads in Star Wars. SW the films & the lore in general are beyond physical , its about your drive & spirit.
The Gamergate goofs like that bring no logical argument , they just claim that every strong female lead is another "hidden agenda" lol

NY Times article had this about R1:

Sad that Felicity Jones had to address that nonsense because a few numbskulls got mad over her earning the role

 

"Hey I got an idear! Let's fire the lady who's netted us over $3 billion with only two films as well as countless more in merchandising sales! It's not like she's objectively doing her job well!"

I fail to see why the filmmakers should whitewash a character for the sake of being politically correct.

 

Kennedy's willingness to fire Lord and Miller only increase my confidence in her and the direction the series is going. I now know that if Colin steps out of line with Episode 9 he will be 'Corrected'. I also know that if he resist gentle correction...Kennedy will yank on his chain so hard he'll think he made the jump to light speed.

 

Some people always forget this but she is a very good friend of George and want nothing but the best for Lucasfilm.
So my vote is no, KK (or the whole leadership ) was also hand-picked by GL before he sold the damn thing.
+ KK is one of the best producers of all time, so she knows what shes doing.

 

Kasdan: Excuse me, Kennedy.

Enter the bureaucrat.
The true rulers of the Star Wars property.
And on the payroll of the Mickey Mouse Club, I might add.
This is where the Directors' strength will disappear.

Kennedy: The point is conceded.
Will you defer your motion to allow a commission to explore the validity
of Kasdan's accusations?

Directors: We will not defer.
We're here to make the movie you hired us to make
We were not hired to make the fans suffer and cry
while you discuss this intrusion in a committee.
If this producer is not capable of action,
I suggest new leadership is needed.
I move for a vote of no confidence...

Kennedy: No need to vote now. You're fired.
In order to ensure the security of intellectual property and continued merchadising,
Lucasfilm Ltd. will be reorganized into the first Film Empire!
For a safe and bland filmography.


So this is how Star Wars dies.
With thunderous applause.


Kennedy: Did you ever hear the tragedy of George Lucas?
George Lucas was a writer/director so creative and wise
he could use his creativty to create ... movies.

He became so powerful the only thing he was afraid of was ...
getting bad reviews.
Which eventually, of course, he did.

Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything she knew.

Then his apprentice killed him in his sleep.

It's ironic.

He could save his company from death ...
but not himself.