Movies - TV
George Lucas' Only Rule For Spaceballs Led To A Classic, Hilarious Scene
ByTRAVIS YATES
When George Lucas directed "Star Wars" in 1977, he turned down an additional $500,000 payment for directing the film in exchange for the movie's licensing and merchandising rights.
Gaining control over future "Star Wars" films and product licensing became the gift that kept on giving to the tune of $4 billion when Lucas sold the franchise to Disney in 2012.
Before Mel Brooks made "Spaceballs," the 1987 "Star Wars" parody, he went to Lucas for his blessing. In his book "All About Me!" Brooks shared the only request Lucas made to him.
Lucas asked him to make "no action figures." Brooks wrote, "[Lucas] explained that if I made toys of my Spaceballs characters they would look a lot like Star Wars action figures."
"So even though in the movie itself we have Dark Helmet playing with action figures, we never sold any," Brooks added. His chat with Lucas ended up inspiring a "Spaceballs" scene.
Brooks took a shot at the ridiculous amount of "Star Wars" merchandise available in one of the funniest scenes of his film, calling the shot "a whole exposé of the movie business."