Grounded In Reality

Watch for a refresh of StarWars.com tomorrow when Lucasfilm releases 250 clips from the six “Star Wars” movies for fans to mash up.  (Yes, this means that you’ll finally fulfill your wish of terminating Jar Jar.)

Given his reputation for protecting his intellectual property, embracing consumer-generated content is a big step forward for George Lucas—he previously sued a Maryland company for making “Star Wars”-like light sabers and sued rapper Dr. Dre for using the audio boom at the start of the “Star Wars” films in his album “2001.”

This is a perfect birthday gift for fans as the “Star Wars” saga turns 30 this year.  Additionally, StarWars.com will host and aggregate hundreds of videos—some previously unreleased and some already on fan sites such as AtomFilms.com—as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations.

Goodwill to the “Star Wars” fan base aside, this is yet another brilliant marketing move by Lucasfilm to breathe new life into the “Star Wars” brand and make it relevant to the next generation.

ps: The rumor mill has it that Lucas is thinking of a new “Star Wars” movie, set at the time of the Old Republic, when the Jedi regained control of the galaxy from the Sith Lords.  I hope he doesn’t direct it.