Star Pirates (film) (Johnsonverse)

Star Pirates is a 1990 American space opera written, produced, and directed by Timothy Hill. It stars Elizabeth Banks, Michael Ironside, Leonardo DiCaprio, Debra Winger, Clancy Brown, and Joyce Redman, and was produced and released by Johnson Studios in association with Timothy Hill Productions. The film follows a princess named Samantha Watts, who joins a band of pirates led by Senshi Luchadora; together, they go on an adventure to stop the evil Adder Storm and save the galaxy.
Production began in 1985, and filming took place between June 1988 and August 1989. Released on July 20, 1990, Star Pirates received widespread acclaim. It became the first Johnson movie since 1978 to exceed the $1 billion mark in the box office, and is seen as the turning point of Johnson Industries in general, after several years of failures under then-owner and CEO Phil Stacker. Since its release, it has become very influential in the science-fiction genre. Its success led to a multimedia franchise including a series of sequels and video games, as well as a long running television series that has aired on the WBC television network since 1991. It was also one of the final film roles for Mel Blanc, who voiced an I.M.H. Unit; his lines were recorded before his 1989 death and the film is dedicated to his memory.
==Plot==
In the distant year of 4290, a mysterious comet crashes into the planet of Crastyn at night. The resulting impact shakes nearby homes as Samantha Watts (Elizabeth Banks), the daughter of ruler Jaxson Watts (Michael Ironside), wakes up and goes outside to check out the impact with her friend Chase Boltz (Leonardo DiCaprio); they find an alien egg and take it back to Chase's, as Samantha's father won't allow alien eggs in the castle. Meanwhile, in a castle on the lava planet of Indüran, a black-cloaked figure named Adder Storm (Clancy Brown), the evil ruler of the galaxy, walks out of his chambers. After the execution of a person who betrayed Storm and gave secrets to Crastyn's kingdom, he immediately broadcasts a propaganda message denying that the comet landed on Crastyn, going so far as to say that no planet was ever called by that name.
==Cast==
===Live-action===
*Elizabeth Banks as Samantha "Sam" Watts - The protagonist, Samantha is a 16-year-old girl living in the Watts royal family on the planet Crastyn. Despite being a princess, Samantha does not like the lifestyle, and seeks adventure in her life.
** Brett Koshkin as young Samantha
*Michael Ironside as Jaxson Watts - Samantha's father, who at first
*Leonardo DiCaprio as Chase Boltz - The deuteragonist, Chase is Samantha's childhood friend.
*Debra Winger as Senshi Luchadora - The leader of the Star Pirates.
*Clancy Brown as Adder Storm - The leader of the galaxy.
*Joyce Redman as Lady Satsujin - A mentor to Sam and Chase.
*R. Lee Ermey as General Lance Cervone - A five-star general in the United Planetary Army, Lance is serious, firm, and
*Frank Vincent as Don Sol Nova - Leader of the TBA.
*Helen Mirren as Mareya Watts - Samantha's mother and Jaxson's wife.
*Jodie Foster as Dariah Watts - Samantha's older sister and the heir to the throne.
*Richard Hunt as Molc - An alien who is discovered by Samantha and her friends.
===Voice cast===
*Harry Shearer as K-Lu
*Maurice LaMarche as I.M.H. - Short for Intergalactic Mechanical Human, I.M.H. is
*Frank Welker, Stan Freberg, Mel Blanc, and Tress MacNeille as I.M.H. Units
==Production==
===Development===
Development began in 1985 after Hill viewed various science fiction space opera films.
===Casting===
For the leads, Hill wanted to cast unknowns, hoping to kickstart their film careers.
== Music ==
The music score was composed by Cal Johnson and performed by the Johnson Philharmonic Orchestra.
==Release==
== Reception ==
===Critical reception===
The film was widely acclaimed upon its release.
===Box office===
====United States====
====Worldwide====
===Accolades===
== Home media ==
In February 1991, the film was released on VHS and LaserDisc for the first time.
Category:Johnsonverse