In a new interview on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show legendary director George Lucas reveals why his newly released “Red Tails” movie has been in the works for years but has had trouble getting funding. Says George about the film which cost $58 million to produce and he calls one of the first all black action films ever made:
“This has been held up for release since 1942 since it was shot, I’ve been trying to get released ever since. It’s because it’s an all-black movie. There’s no major white roles in it at all…I showed it to all of them and they said no. We don’t know how to market a movie like this.”
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
hollywood is just so racist! Its like the interracial couples that never make out so that they don’t shock the white audience!
It’s not racist their is just no proof that all black movies are financially viable. Hollywood is in the business of giving people what they want don’t blame them blame the people who don’t go see movies that star black people.
I wouldnt say hollywood is racist. The major studios just don’t know how to market black films. Tyler Perry has hundreds of millions because major studios don’t get this.
Make sure the guys in the barbershop are NOT bootlegging this movie lol. GO OUT AND PAY TO SEE IT!!
Tyler Perry’s movie do very well for small independent films but they don’t make nearly the amount of money as even a moderately successful Hollywood blockbuster. Example Tyler Perry’s most successful movie “Madea Goes to Jail” made 90 million dollars, if George Lucas’ “Red Tails” makes only 90 million dollars it will be considered a complete failure.
good point Kofi…
@Kofi and anyone else who says hollywood is not racist is blinded by what are so called numbers……White people are not the only ones who make blockbuster movies like Batman gross high numbers….we go see these movies too and contribute, why can’t other races go see an all black action movie?! It is action!!!! you don’t go see them for plot or great acting sooooo why can’t it be marketed properly….Don’t market to just Black people, market to all people
They do market to all people. What Lucas was saying in that interview is that Hollywood isn’t not overtly racist it’s largely run by business, people they just want profit and nothing else just like when Avatar made almost 3 billion we saw a buch of 3D movies if Red Tails is extremely successful we’ll see a lot more movies with all black casts but it has to be proven that it’s fiscally viable first, these guys just aren’t willing to take risks.
and to add, all Tyler Perry’s movies don’t cost that much to make….If they took 20 mill to make they make 41 mill opening weekend and 90 mill total, which is a HUGE success, and he is backed by Lionsgate, he just retains all rights and they don’t put that much upfront money up in the first place…..Shit George Lucas is trying to make movies that cost 60 million just to make in the first place.