Newsgroup: it.fan.starwars
Titolo: A LETTER FROM FOX

From: Grace E. Stroud Sent: Thu 10/26/00 8:10 a.m.
To: '
lh...@lucasfilm.com
'
Subject: Touching base
Lynne:
First off, Jim [Gianopulos] and Tom [Rothman] couldn't be more pleased with
what they've seen. "Blown away" is the buzz around here, as I'm sure has
been communicated to Rick [McCallum] and George [Lucas]. (You certainly are
all going to make it hard to hate Vader/Anakin in the old movies after
making us watch the hell he goes through here!) We are, as always, so
terribly honored to be part of this historic franchise.
We did, however, want to pass along some slight concerns we've had here
regarding the MPAA [Motion Picture Association of America]. Based on the
footage you gracefully allowed Jim and Tom to view, as well as the script
notes, our team is concerned that SW2 ["Star Wars: Episode II"] is treading
into PG-13 territory, or, even more troubling, R. While we understand that
this is still very much a work in progress, George's films have always been
so all-inclusive, so universal we thought even he might appreciate this
heads-up.
With regards to the following notes, please do not misconstrue us to say
that we would *not* release a non-PG-rated SW2. Also, please do not
misconstrue us to say we would *not* go to the mat for George's vision. We
understand how important it is to him for this episode to be about the
characters, about their lives, however troubled they may be. At the end of
the day, we just want what's best for the film. As does, of course, your
talented team.
Specifically, though, we have red-flagged the following sections:
-Anakin [Hayden Christensen] and Padme [Natalie Portman] on Naboo after the
space-bike race. The love story is obviously sweet (the romantic triangle
with Obi-Wan [Ewan McGregor] even better!), and Hayden's performance wowed
us all. The concern here is the sequence in the garden. It seems to play too
rough, especially for younger viewers who may still be coming to terms with
this suddenly grown-up version of young Anakin. ("Oh, that I could drive mys
elf into you, not to satisfy myself, but to satisfy you...to fill you with
my seed.") A little grown-up. Also, from a storyboard we appear to be seeing
a little nipple in the bosom region, but we're suspecting that to be the
work of an overenthused artist? (Rick told us how they can be.) In a perfect
world, we wouldn't change a thing here (except perhaps adding a quick
reference to the importance of being responsible to one's sex partner).
Unfortunately, in these political climes the MPAA is quite sensitive. Our
concern is a "strong sex scene" declaration, which would draw the R.
-Mace Windu [Samuel L. Jackson] forces himself on Shmi [Pernilla August]
prior to the Tatooine uprising. Kudos to George and team for raising the
stakes. The rape act clearly deepens the relationships and characters and
motivations, and really moves us into the third act. A compelling sequence.
But much as we expressed in the item prior, this really seems to be taking
SW2 in an all-new, all-adult route. Although we understand the graphicness
is restricted to a shove and a mild tearing of a garment (his), we are
concerned that the mere hint of violence and crude behavior will bring the
PG-13, at least. One more thing that we hesitate to broach: We're sure no
one needs to be reminded of the criticism heaped, unfairly, at the franchise
over the years for a supposed lack of diversity. To then bring aboard an
actor the level of Sam and ask him, as the franchise's first, *real*
African-American leading man, to play a rapist...well, it does give one
pause. Again, far be it from us to question George. Just some grist for the
mill. We really do love the rape!
-Anakin beheads Shmi. Clearly, this is the kicker of all kickers. Jim said:
"Better ending than Empire." You're surely going to have the audience right
where you want them on this one. The problem here is more with tone than
execution. Again, because the overall tone here is so much more real, so
much more raw than the other SW movies, we feel we run the risk of an
"intense" violence brand, cause for the R. In SW1, even the Darth Maul death
sequence (a vivisection) rated us no worse than "sci-fi violence," and a PG.
But we think we can all agree that SW1 was much more fantasy-like in tone.
The audience's emotional investment is much lower in a Darth Maul. But when
Anakin accidentally lightsabers his mother as he flails away at
Palpatine...It's certainly no more visually graphic, but emotionally, it
borders on hard-core. We really believe this scene is going to be the big
sticking point with the MPAA. Combined with the elements mentioned above, we
feel we would be hard-pressed to bring this movie in at PG.
Again, overall, we are so thrilled. We just want to give George and his team
every opportunity to reach as many people as possible with this wonderful,
powerful story. We are here to advise and help and would consider ourselves
blessed if you chose to bounce any story ideas off us. Tom, in particular,
is an ardent Jar Jar booster and has some cogent thoughts on his
assassination sequence that he would be more than willing to share. Please
let us know how we can be of assistance and how we can all avoid any
unpleasantness down the road.
Regards,
Grace E. Stroud
Senior V.P., Domestic
Fox Filmed Entertainment

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