Chương 146: Chapter 146: New Game: "Star Wars"! - Part 2
Although they lacked Spielberg's boundless imagination, they could still discern whether a movie had visual effects or not! They also recognized that the film just screened was a work in progress, but the lack of completed visual effects couldn't mask the shortcomings in its narrative...
Even if the visual effects were incomplete, since the film had been edited, the story should be complete! But what about now?
Perhaps only George Lucas and Steven Spielberg understood the movie on the entire scene. However, Fox executives' doubts did not affect Spielberg.
He glanced at Lucas, whose expectant gaze encouraged him to continue speaking—
"I admit, there are some issues with the narrative of George's movie."
As he spoke, Lucas's expression dimmed.
The crowd sighed in relief.
Finally, Spielberg wasn't blindly defending the movie. But before they could express their agreement, Spielberg added, "However, narrative issues can be improved. After today, I will re-edit this movie with him. I believe, after the revisions, the movie will surely reveal its greatness."
'...'
Everyone was almost defeated by Spielberg's stubbornness.
They just couldn't understand how Spielberg could be so obstinate.
Upon hearing these words, Fox executives were furious! "Steven! Do you realize what you're saying? We had agreed to release this movie this summer! And now you're telling me it needs re-editing?"
"Oh—"
"I think you should know better than anyone how much time that will take."
"And, if I'm not mistaken, you're currently involved in another movie?"
"Yes, but I can put aside my work to help George finish this epic piece," Spielberg looked at him squarely.
"You..." Fox's executives were left speechless by Spielberg's rebuttal.
Although they wanted to say that they thought "Star Wars" was beyond salvation, when the current box office record holder offered to put aside his own work to help Lucas...
Who in their right mind could argue with that?
In Hollywood, money talks.
"What about the timing? Are you proposing a delay?"
"No... I think this movie only needs minor adjustments to be ready for release. If we stop this endless argument, it should be ready by summer..."
Although it was unclear to the crowd where Spielberg got the courage to claim that a pile of garbage only needed minor adjustments to be ready for release, they had no choice but to trust Spielberg. They knew their own limitations and that they couldn't save the movie.
As Spielberg finished speaking, Fox's screening room fell silent.
A few Fox executives exchanged glances and eventually reached a consensus.
"Okay, Steven, if this movie can be released on time this summer, we won't hold you accountable. Also, I'd like to know... how should we promote this movie?"
The chubby Fox executive said, "We're all in the movie business here. We should all understand that a movie's promotion needs to start at least three months before its release."
"It's February now, and summer is just three months away. According to the plan, the promotion for 'Star Wars' should have started by now, which is why we had today's screening."
"But now..." he spread his hands, "We ourselves don't understand the movie, how can we promote it?"
When this question arose, everyone nodded in agreement.
Marvel's two artists, Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin, said, "Yes, we came today to watch the movie to get inspiration for the comics."
"But now... we don't understand it..."
John Milius and Brian De Palma also said, "Without understanding the movie, it's indeed impossible for the marketing team to devise a promotional plan."
To Spielberg, however, this wasn't a problem at all—
"It's simple, George can explain the content he wants to show in the movie to you..."
This suggestion made George Lucas nod.
And hope rekindled on his face.
However, before Spielberg could finish, Fox categorically rejected the idea, "No! Steven! We can listen to you on other matters, but not this! George himself hasn't made the movie clear, how can we dare to devise a promotional plan based on his description?"
As they spoke, Fox's executives also glanced around at the others. On this matter, whether it was Marvel's people or Lucas's friends, they all agreed.
This situation made George Lucas's eyes dim once more.
He sat down dejectedly, somewhat at a loss.
Spielberg, too, found that he indeed couldn't convince everyone.
And Ethan, who had witnessed all this, felt somewhat moved.
Although his memories from a past life told him that the distribution of "Star Wars" was fraught with difficulty, he hadn't expected the process to be so torturous.
When the whole world was doubting George Lucas, the pressure he faced was unimaginable.
At the same time, Ethan understood why Spielberg and Lucas were so close in his past life.
Whatever special effects Spielberg wanted, Industrial Light & Magic would satisfy him... Spielberg wanted a big IP, and George simply handed over "Indiana Jones"
...
When the whole world doubted Lucas, only Spielberg firmly stood by his side! Not only did he speak for him, but he also helped re-edit the movie! Such timely support indeed leaves a lifelong impression.
And just as Ethan felt his trip was fully rewarded, not only receiving Spielberg's help but also witnessing the original version of "Star Wars" and seeing future giants at a low point, a voice suddenly entered his ears.
"Ethan—"
It was Spielberg calling him.
"Huh?"
Ethan, suddenly called by name, was somewhat baffled.
Wasn't he just a bystander in this field of melons?
Why were these melons calling him out? He didn't understand!
But in the next second, Spielberg had already explained, "Although it was accidental to bring you here today, I still want to know, how do you see this movie?"
Spielberg said, "I think you should have understood this movie, right?"
"Because I heard you laugh during the movie."
This statement made everyone focus their attention on Ethan! The surprised looks were no different from seeing a monster!
Ethan was even more confused!
Although he indeed laughed earlier, he laughed because Lucas's directing was so terrible!
He also didn't understand what story the just-screened movie was trying to tell! Of course, he couldn't just say that, right?
Now, he was considered one of Spielberg's people! He had to help him boast!
And as Ethan was pondering how to describe it beautifully, how to embellish a turd, a voice of rebuttal suddenly came—
"Oh Steven—this isn't fun anymore!"
"Now who in America doesn't know Ethan is your friend?"
"When 'Pac-Man' was released, you publicly declared him the best game producer in the world! After such statements, what credibility do your mutual praises have?"
"You're asking him what he thinks of this movie?"
"Oh—I believe—he will definitely speak well of you—"
This statement made the audience nod slightly; they saw no issue.
And Ethan was somewhat embarrassed because he was indeed thinking of ways to praise.
Spielberg, however, was somewhat indignant, "You can't say that."
"If Ethan has watched this movie, then he has the right to speak."
Ethan thought this was correct!
Even if he boasted a bit, it wouldn't kill anyone, right?
And...
With the aid of his past life memories, he wasn't afraid of being proven wrong!
In such a case, his boasting wouldn't just be boasting; it would be having an eye for beauty!
But Fox's executives didn't want to continue this any further. In their view, this argument was pointless, "Oh, Steven, I can understand your feelings."
"Ethan, I must also apologize to you first."
"It's not that I don't want you to speak, but your opinion here is a minority."
"Because whether it's Roy or Howard... whether it's John or Brian..."
"We all didn't understand this movie."
This statement made Ethan somewhat displeased.
He felt he could speak his mind without restraint.
What did it mean his opinion was a minority?
Disagreement meant no right to speak?
What kind of logic was that? But before he could voice his criticism, Fox's executives turned their gaze back to Spielberg.
"Steven, since we've come this far, let's be honest. If you really want to help George, you might as well communicate with Ethan!"
"Let him come up with a game idea based on both of your thoughts..."
"This way, we have something to show when negotiating with theaters."
"We can tell them, hey! This movie is definitely going to be a hit!"
"Because the inventor of 'Pac-Man' and 'Snake' made a game specifically for this movie! If he thinks this movie is good, what reason do you have not to screen it?"
'...'
'???'
'!!!'
When these words were spoken, Ethan was utterly shocked!
He forcibly held back the words he was about to blurt out in anger!
At this moment, he even doubted his own ears! Fox's executives, seeing no future for "Star Wars," hoped Spielberg could persuade him to make a game to accompany the movie's promotion?
Oh! My! God!
What kind of absurd brainstorm was this!
Ah, no—
What kind of divine suggestion was this? Now, Ethan had only one thought in mind!
That was to agree!
He would rename "Space Invaders" to "Star Wars"! Did Magnavox and Atari come up with a flashy new machine?
And also included several new games?
So what? All these things were trivial in front of "Star Wars"! In his past life, "Space Invaders" alone could become popular in the US by riding on the coattails of "Star Wars". And in this life, when the "Space Invaders" that piggybacked on "Star Wars" became the real "Star Wars"... then who could possibly compete with it?
Ethan didn't believe it! When the game and the movie were released together, could the American public still see Magnavox and Atari's game consoles?
When the Millennium Falcon soared across the screen, on the land of America, there would be no room for other games! Just the name "Star Wars" alone could dominate everything! As for the reason?
Because its name is "Star Wars"! It's just that simple! Thinking this, Ethan, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Oh Steven, you're right, I love this movie! Or rather, this movie gave me a complete inspiration, an inspiration related to video games..."
'???'
When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned!
The Fox executive who had previously suggested Ethan make a game widened his eyes!
Because he couldn't understand how anyone in the world could understand this movie!
He was just speaking off the cuff!
His greater intention was just to mock Spielberg! But now...
"Oh—Ethan—did you really understand it?" he asked, swallowing hard.
Ethan ignored him, because when he looked at Spielberg and Lucas, the excitement and surprise on their faces were evident.
"Steven..." Ethan said, "Do you remember when I approached you last year?"
"When you were filming your movie."
"You talked to me about the creative source of your new movie 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'."
"You might not believe it, but at that time, I already had an idea related to aliens in my mind. I thought, if we made a game about aliens, it would definitely be popular with the public."
"But unfortunately, that inspiration was never fully developed."
"Because in your movie, the aliens are friendly, and how to place a friendly alien in a video game? I couldn't solve this problem."
"But when I just saw George's movie, I realized, just by simply changing the aliens' allegiance from benevolent to malevolent, from friendly encounters with earthlings to invading Earth, the game's combat mechanism would emerge..."
"And when I saw the Millennium Falcon streak across the screen, I thought, allowing players to play as human pilots, fighting against aliens in spacecraft, would be a great idea..."
Saying this, Ethan gave George Lucas a big thumbs up.
"George, 'Star Wars' is a very excellent movie. Their inability to understand is only due to their lack of imagination, and has nothing to do with your original concept."
When these words were spoken, Lucas, who had been disheartened for a long time, was thrilled! He patted Spielberg on the shoulder, excitedly shouting, "Oh Steven! You were right!"
"Ethan does understand my movie!"
As he spoke, he even jumped up, rushing to Ethan for a big hug, "Oh Ethan—thank you—thank you for understanding me—"
And Spielberg...
At thirty-one years old, he looked around with his arms spread wide.
That look almost seemed to say—
I think everyone here is trash!
His arrogance made the crowd feel somewhat insecure. If Ethan was just giving a forced compliment, they could still say he was speaking well of them from their perspective.
But now?
Ethan gave a game idea on the spot! Alien invasion of Earth? Players controlling the Millennium Falcon to battle aliens? Hiss! How did they get such inspiration from those messy movies? They really couldn't understand!
Is this the gap between them and geniuses?
This was just too absurd! And Ethan...
Feeling George Lucas's earnest hug, his face was filled with a happy smile.
Look at this! He just wanted to witness history, and he ended up becoming part of it? He was initially planning to ride the coattails of "Star Wars", but the creator himself was thanking him crazily?
Oh—
I'm really something!
Note: The content of "Star Wars" described in the text is based on firsthand accounts from participants. The specific compilation comes from Roy Thomas's memoir "Star Wars: Saving Marvel." In February 1977, the first screening of "Star Wars" took place, with only Spielberg steadfastly believing in its success. It was his assistance to Lucas, helping to re-edit the first ten minutes of the film to improve its pacing (Lucas's directing skills were universally acknowledged as subpar) that led to the postponement of Spielberg's own film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." John Milius is the screenwriter of "Apocalypse Now." Brian De Palma is the director of "Scarface" and "Mission: Impossible." Lucas relinquished the director's fee for the rights to "Star Wars," but... it seems like Fox got the short end of the stick no matter how you look at it.
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