George Lucas On “Red Tails” and Hollywood’s Reluctance To Make It

A movie that Hollywood didn't want to make.

Reposted from The Huffington Post:

As an African-American film director and scriptwriter, I have to say I was incredibly moved by George Lucas’ public comments on his latest film, Red Tails. Lucas, who basically changed how sci-fi movies are made with his groundbreaking Star Wars saga, and impacted our pop culture in ways few movies have, admitted in aninterview on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart that even with his track record he could not get any major studio to back this movie, largely because it featured an all-black cast of heroes. If you haven’t seen the interview you should. Because the truth is if these same words came from a black filmmaker, and one not as accomplished, then likely their words would be labeled as whining. So see the words come from Lucas himself.

In a nutshell here is what he said. The movie is about an African-American unit of pilots in World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, and their fight to have the chance to fight for their country and show what they could and did do to help this country remain free, despite they themselves not having full freedoms in what was still a discriminatory society in the U.S. Lucas says he could not get any of the studios to fund the project due to the mostly black cast, so he did it himself. He then went to the studios again to help with getting it out, at least hoping they would pay for the cost of prints and advertising. Once more they said they would not do it. So again, Lucas dug into his own pockets and covered that cost as well. He was finally able to get 20th Century Fox to at least distribute the thing since he paid all the other costs to get it done.

To read the full piece on The Huffington Post click here.

A Unique and Almost Unnoticed Box Office Moment

Zoe Saldana kicked some butt.

Very often there is talk about how Hollywood does not very often give Blacks and other minorities a chance to shine in leading roles. And likewise  how mainstream America doesn’t accept Blacks and others minorities in leading roles in the movies they prefer.

But when the contrary is true we need to acknowledge it and applaud it.

This past weekend at the Box Office, the #1 and #2 films were both films starring Black women. Despite any criticisms that may be pointed at either film, what an interesting occurrence and one that many did not take note of. The hit film, “The Help,” continued to lead the box office and stars several African-American actresses in leading roles. And the film “Columbiana” opened up strongly at the number two spot, with Black Hispanic actress Zoe Saldana playing the hero and lead role.

So yes there is still progress to be made. But let’s also note what a unique weekend it was, and that maybe that is a sign of a change happening, even if ever so slowly. Black women leading the Box Office in two different films and in very different types of roles, one as servants/maids, the other as an action hero. And both were well received. Hooray.