“Fanboys” Fight the Good Fight

By Hadley

Fanboys tells the story of four friends determined to break into George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in hopes of watching Star Wars: The Phantom Menace before it’s released in theaters. Along the way, one of the friends gets sick – terminally sick. It’s a sobering truth in the midst of a silly road trip – so sobering that the powers that be don’t want the film hampered down by it.

Harvey Weinstein, who picked up the film in 2005, commissioned Steve Brill (Joe Dirt, Mr. Deeds), under the tutelage of Judd Apatow’s producing partner Shauna Robertson, to reshoot and re-edit the film to nix out the cancer. He felt it would be easier to market without the downer of a subplot. Needless to say, the movies’ original creators went batsh*t.

Kevin Mann, one of Fanboys’ original producers, had this to say to the Hollywood Reporter:

“The original reason we wanted to get involved with this script was because it was a comedy with heart,” Mann said. “In my opinion, when the cancer was taken out, the heart went with it.”

Weinstein’s decision to re-imagine Fanboys as a lighthearted romp rather than a heartfelt dramedy spurred a whirlwind of discontent from Star Wars‘ fanboys worldwide, dubbing the decision-maker “Darth Weinstein.” Petitions to keep the original film intact while nixing the recut made the rounds, along with the following YouTube video bashing Weinstein:

Now, the latest news is that the Weinstein Company “plans to jointly release two versions of its highly anticipated film, ‘Fanboys,’ on home video, with the Company exploring options for its theatrical release.” While that’s not the bargain the fanboys are looking to strike, it’s a step in the right direction – and proof the Empire is collapsing under pressure from the Alliance.

Until the original cut of Fanboys gets an official theatrical release, fans will protest Weinstein’s latest flick, Superhero Movie, asking all to boycott it. Your move, Darth Weinstein.

I applaud all involved in keeping Fanboys true to its roots, as should you.