reiher@ucla-cs.UUCP (08/08/85)
Since no one else has mentioned this little wonder yet, I figured I should.
"Captain Eo" is one of the most unlikely collaberations I have heard of
in years. Minute for minute, it may be the most expensive film ever made.
The unholy quartet involved in "Captain Eo" are 1). Disney Studios (studio),
2). George Lucas (producer), 3). Francis Coppola (director), and 4). Michael
Jackson (star). The film is sf/fantasy, is set to be fifteen minutes long,
and is rumored to be budgetted somewhere between $10 and $15 million. The
resulting special effects extravaganza will be shown only at special theaters
in Disney amusement parks.
The most interesting pairings are Disney and Jackson, and Lucas and Coppola.
This is apparently another example of the New Deal at Disney studios, which
is producing films with Bette Midler and Madonna, in addition to the fey
Mr. Jackson. Lucas and Coppola were originally good friends, with Coppola
giving Lucas several of his first breaks. They quarreled (or so it is
rumored) over "American Graffiti", and the word was that they more or less
weren't speaking to each other. Now they seem to be friendly again. Ironicly,
they've switched their old roles. It used to be Coppola who produced films
directed by Lucas.
I think "Captain Eo" will appear in Disney amusement parks some time next
year.
--
Peter Reiher
reiher@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU
{...ihnp4,ucbvax,sdcrdcf}!ucla-cs!reihersteven@ism70.UUCP (08/12/85)
Gossip-from-friend-of-friend-of-coworker-of-occasional-tennis-player-buddy-of guy-who-works-on-set-(how else does anything spread around Hollywood?) Department: Harrison Ellenshaw (Disney special effects ace) reports that Michael's buddy-buddying up to all the technical people on the shoot (much to their amusement). I'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy and all, but it _i_s a little disconcerting. So Harry comes home and his kids are in an uproar; they can't believe it! Seems that Michael Jackson called him up at home to just chat, you know? Toss around some ethereal ideas and such. Left a message in his unmistakable tones on the answering machine. So his kids spend the rest of the evening calling all their friends and playing back Michael's message from the answering machine.