Editorials

1997-1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002+

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What Star Wars Has Won

Thomas Walsh sent us an email that sounded like a perfect editorial, so I've taken the liberty of modifying it a bit for this editorial. In the wake of TPM's losses to the Matrix in the three technical awards of the Academy, it might not be a bad idea to review what Star Wars does have going for it. We can assure you, there's no love lost between George and the Academy about the awards, although the folks at LFL have every right to be disappointed in the obvious shunning of Star Wars.

Star Wars holds plenty of world records.

MOST SUCCESSFUL FILM SERIES - Holding positions 2, 3, 8 and 11 in the all time domestic grosses (according to Box Office Guru), Star Wars has something to be proud of. With a combined gross of over 2.7 billion worldwide, you'll notice that that's more than any other film series to date.

MOST SUCCESSFUL FRANCHISE - Although Pokeman is making a run at it, the Star Wars trilogy has merchandising grosses of around 4.5 billion, and including Episode 1's they've taken nearly 7.3 billion, which is possibly the most successful franchise. Of course, with two more films left to be made, the sky is the limit.

FILM SERIES PROFITEER - George Lucas holds the record for the highest single profiteer from a franchise though his cut of the merchandise profits is undisclosed.

VIDEO RENTALS - A New Hope holds the record for video rentals all time. Throw in the SE, and the lead increases further.

FASTEST BOX OFFICE GROSS - Here Episode 1 holds 5 records, fastest box office gross, from 0 to 28.5 million in 24 hours, 0 to 100 million in 5 days and 0 to 300 in 5 weeks now at 922 million past Jurassic Park. And it's possible that it'll be topped again with Episode I's video release coming next week.

HIGHEST GROSSING SCI FI MOVIE - Star Wars Episode 1 is the highest grossing Sci-Fi film ever, topping it's bedeckers Independence Day by over 110 million.

MOST POPULAR TRAILER - Episode 1 was the most anticipated movie ever so it holds the most popular film trailer record as is widely known, the response to the trailer and the amount the trailer earned for Meet Joe Black.

MOST DIGITAL SHOTS IN A MOVIE - Most digital shots in a film nearly doubling Titanic's at around 11-1200 modified shots. Reportedly, there's only one scene in the movie where there is absolutely nothing digital.

And on top of this, Star Wars composer John Williams is the most nominated of any current nominees of the Academy, and Industrial Light and Magic has won more awards than any other Digital effects company. Star Wars might even hold the record for the amount of records held for all we know.

So maybe we didn't pick up another few Academy Awards this past week, but there's plenty of things Star Wars has won.

Joshua Griffin
TFN Staff
3/30/2000