28
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2016
Act.
29
de Desembre
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2016
When GeorgeLucas presented his project to make a space western –to be called Star Wars– to 20th Century Fox executives, he was in a strong negotiating position as the director of American Graffiti, which made 200 million dollars despite only costing 775,000 dollars.
With these credentials, his agents advised him to ask Fox for a salary of 11 million dollars to direct Star Wars. Yet, Lucas took a course of action that, out of luck or forward-thinking, would be the key to his current fortune.
The proposal that the director made to the company executives was to direct the film for a salary of 150,000 dollars –the same amount he earned for directing American Graffiti– and in exchange he would keep all the rights to merchandise and any possible sequels.
The company directors, who did not fully believe in the Star Wars project, saw this as a golden opportunity. Obviously, with hindsight, George Lucas's initiative proved to be masterful: between 1977 and 1978 alone, Star Wars toys to the value of 100 million dollars were sold and in the saga's 35-year history, it is estimated that Star Wars related objects worth a total of 12 billion dollars have been sold.
Interestingly, in 2012, Disney paid George Lucas 4 billion dollars for the saga's merchandising rights.
As Kings' Day is approaching, VIA Empresa would like to recommend some Star Wars gadgets that would make the perfect gift for fans of the series:
With these credentials, his agents advised him to ask Fox for a salary of 11 million dollars to direct Star Wars. Yet, Lucas took a course of action that, out of luck or forward-thinking, would be the key to his current fortune.
The proposal that the director made to the company executives was to direct the film for a salary of 150,000 dollars –the same amount he earned for directing American Graffiti– and in exchange he would keep all the rights to merchandise and any possible sequels.
The company directors, who did not fully believe in the Star Wars project, saw this as a golden opportunity. Obviously, with hindsight, George Lucas's initiative proved to be masterful: between 1977 and 1978 alone, Star Wars toys to the value of 100 million dollars were sold and in the saga's 35-year history, it is estimated that Star Wars related objects worth a total of 12 billion dollars have been sold.
Interestingly, in 2012, Disney paid George Lucas 4 billion dollars for the saga's merchandising rights.
As Kings' Day is approaching, VIA Empresa would like to recommend some Star Wars gadgets that would make the perfect gift for fans of the series:
- Star Wars droid
The tech company Sphero has created a remote-controlled version of BB-8. Moreover, with an iPhone, users can give voice commands to the droid, which it will obediently obey.
However, the price is a little high at 167 euros.
- Light sabre – Selfie stick
Selfie sticks are all the rage among young people... and those who are not so young. ThinkGeek sells one resembling Darth Vader's light sabre. Its price is 19.99 dollars.
- Mobile cases
Protectors for mobiles always make a good gift. At 20 dollars each, this website has all sorts of examples on sale. What's more, they can be personalised with a name.. - Storm Trooper speaker
The white helmet of the Storm Troopers has become an icon of Star Wars. Lovers of the saga who also like music can buy this bluetooth speaker in the shape of the helmet. The price, 54 euros.
- Death Star lamp
If you cannot choose the light or dark side, with this bedsidelamp you can have both things: a spherical lamp in the shape of the Death Star that lights up with bright, white light. Its price is 27 euros.