Wednesday, September 22, 2010

“George Lucas Stole Chewbacca, But...”

I highly recommend this article about how Chewbacca came to be - and my father's role in that process. But what troubles me - and has troubled me and my family and many of my father's friends in the Science Fiction world since 1977 - is that he was the unwitting, uncredited, and uncompensated “collaborator” in this creative endeavor. And is that really okay?
Posted by at
Labels: ,

2 comments:

  1. Ian,

    Unfortunately your father wasn't alone. The film industry has a history of this kind of homage. When you understand that the artists and technicians are fans of science fiction and fantasy it makes sense but credit and remuneration should still be given. Some justice has been served by the original authors, A.E Van Vogt's creature Ixtl from Voyage of the Space Beagle was used as the inspiration for the movie Alien, Harlan Ellison's Outer Limits screenplays 'Demon with a Glass Hand' and 'Soldier' were used for Terminator. After being sued the film companies paid up. There is actually a great youtube clip of Harlan talking about what happened in his case.( the language in the clip might offend some people)
    Unfortunately that is not always the outcome and some creators are not credited or compensated as in the case of your fathers work or Jim Gurneys or H. Beam Pipers in relation to the Star Wars series of films

    ReplyDelete

  2. Hello Ian, I just wanted to say thank you for posting so much of your father's wonderful art. I grew up seeing his work and always was amazed and inspired by it...seeking it out at every opportunity! His work has that magic 'touch of life'. A joy to see!
    I also share a deep love of Pyle's work.
    best--Paul Rivoche

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)