May 25, 1977 marked the premiere of George Lucas’ moderate-budgeted follow-up to his huge success American Graffiti (1973): Star Wars! Lucas initially hoped United Artists would buy his original pitch back then, but the studio balked. Lucas then approached Universal — despite his misgivings about the studio’s handling of his earlier films. Universal head Lew Wasserman was quoted at one point stating “We don’t make science-fiction movies.” Finally, vice president for creative affairs at 20th Century Fox, Alan Ladd Jr. Fox, which had recent success with sci-fi thanks mostly to its Planet of the Apes franchise, liked the idea and signed a deal with Lucas. Continue reading
chrissantucci.wordpress.com 