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Lucasfilm is one of the most well-known production companies in the world with filmmaker George Lucas producing most of theStar Warsmovies under the banner before selling it to Disney. Similarly, Hayao Miyazaki established Studio Ghibli, which is a powerhouse in terms of animation with the filmmaker, winning an Oscar for his most recent work.
The two powerhouses almost collaborated in the 1980s, when Lucas and Miyazaki were both arguably at the peak of their prowess. The two filmmakers almost worked on the now cult classic animated movieLittle Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, which faced several issues in production. Here is what you need to know about their involvement with the film.
Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandAlmost Brought George Lucas and Hayao Miyazaki Together
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberlandis a 1989 animated musical fantasy film based on Winsor McCay’s comic strip of the same name and produced by Yutaka Fujioka. The latter obtained the film rights to the comic strip in 1978 and secured financing in 1981.
Among Fujioka’s preferred collaborators was filmmakerGeorge Lucas, who was fresh off the critical and commercial success ofhis blockbuster space opera franchiseStar Wars. FujiokawantedLucas to serve as a co-producer for the US side of things but the latter rejected the offer.
While Lucas declined the offer, he recommendedStar Warsproducer Gary Kurtz for the role. At the same time, filmmakerHayao Miyazakiwas working at Fujioka’s company, Tokyo Movie Shinsha, and penned one draft of the screenplay for the proposed film. However, he eventually ended upleavingthe company.
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Ultimately, both Lucas and Miyazaki did not seem too eager to work on an adaptation of the iconic comic strip that Fujioka spent many years developing. Nonetheless, it would have been interesting to see the two industry titans collaborate on what is now considered a cult classic animated movie despite initially bombing at the box office.
Hayao Miyazaki ImpliedStar WarsWould Not Work in Today’s Environment
Although the prospect of Miyazaki and Lucas working together remains an interesting one, the former has often been vocal about his dislike for the Western style of storytelling. During aninterview, Miyazaki talked about how some stories weren’t convincing despite being filled with action and comedy.
They cloak the interstellar action with the story of a child who gains autonomy by fighting against his parents. Such things aren’t very convincing, now.
Miyazaki made the above statement about Lucas’ original trilogy in the translated interview.
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TheAcademy Award-winning filmmaker‘s comments suggest thatStar Warswould not work in the current climate but not because there is anything wrong with that style of storytelling.
Instead, Miyazaki suggested that the theme of gaining autonomy through rebellion had become stale in the modern era. Lucasfilm and Studio Ghibli collaborated on the animated shortZen: Grogu and Dust Bunnies. However, it is safe to say that neither Lucas nor Miyazaki were directly involved in the creative process.
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberlandis streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1772
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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