How would you like to see a film. Would you like the leads to have a motivation for what they do other than doing it for themselves? Would you prefer straight up laughs over a film that has a reason to exist?
Evidently it’s more important to have a film which provides constant laughs than a film where we feel something for the characters. I am referring to the news that the film Star Wars fans have been waiting for, Fanboys, from the Weinstein company, may well be re-edited. Not just something minor but something that will change the film almost entirely. Take out the friend who is dying of cancer.
For those who know the story line that will come as a shock. For those who don’t, the film is based around some Star Wars fanboys who break into Skywalker Ranch to steal The Phantom Menace for their friend who will die before the official release date.
Now, let’s take the re-edit and explain the plot again. Some Star Wars fanboys break into Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of The Phantom menace because they want to see it before everyone else.
The reason for the re-edit is probably because after the whole subject of cancer apparently there is a period of 10 minutes where you won’t laugh. And obviously the whole dying friend thing takes a bit off of the humour off. And obviously audiences can’t stand comedies with a heart…
Apparently the original version will be shown to test audiences along with the re-edit and it shall go from there. However there is a very important audience that may be under-represented in these tests. Star Wars fans. This film is about Star Wars fans, Star Wars fans want to see it, and Star Wars fans are probably the ones that are going to help make this film make money.
Now, without the whole cancer story line it is a comedy about Star Wars fans doing crazy stuff because they’re Star Wars fans. So that’s the cheap laughs at Star Wars fans because they’re obsessed film versus the Star Wars fans doing something for fellow Star Wars fans because they share a love for Star Wars. Which one do you think Star Wars fans will want to see?
Let’s consider the public image of Star Wars fans, then let’s think about the real side of fandom. It’s clear that a major film release would want to play to the main public stereotype because, hey, it’s likely to get them some money. But if they do that they will alienate Star Wars fans. And that is a lot of people to annoy, that is a lot of money that may well not make it to their pockets.
So, if this re-edit goes ahead we will have another film that just wants to make you laugh. If we keep the original copy, we will have a film that many people have already said they love and a film many Star Wars fans will go an see. Let’s hope that the nice people at Weinstein don’t screw this up.
MTFBWY
For those visiting from Stop Darth Weinstein, can I advise that you view my more recent post on the issue that can be found here, and here.
This story has since been resolved to some degree, the final part of the story can be found here.
Filed under: Films, Star Wars | Tagged: Fanboys, Star Wars fans, Weinstein Company
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