259 Star Wars expandable universe.

-They accepted. - said Billy to Anne the morning after, whenever you have the money, fame, or natural industry power, companies are willing to work. They prefer not to be paid and instead retain a larger percentage. It's almost like earning without doing anything other than licensing, and Super Smash Lux Fighters is just that, a game they can't develop due to their multiple ongoing projects.

Both were seated in the backseat while Erwin Kyle drove, his eyes on the road, heading to the San Francisco Bay. A lengthy discussion with the marvelous George Lucas awaited them, and the approval procedures of George were high, a joint animated effort between Billy and George was the litmus test for the grand rebranding of the space opera franchise. Anne would ensure her presence for reasons of knowledge and administration, taking the reins when Billy disappeared from the company.

-I fear you've made many moves in recent days. - said, Anne.

-They are the fruit of labor. The day may come when we have to specialize in each job, perhaps separating the functions altogether and focusing on one area, for example, establishing an identity for Id Software and Lux Animation. - said Billy.

-Correct, although the system works. - said Anne. The system functioned like a monarchy; Billy charted a course that directed an important part, and the other employees followed his orders based on his directives. For now, it was bearable, the burden became lighter as they grew, not the other way around due to the many hirings.

Erwin took the direct route on the highway while observing the bosses in the rearview mirror.

-We're almost there. - said Billy, taking a huge backpack of papers. The work was arduous and long, hours and hours of carefully reviewing each word written, giving an identity to the work, polishing and wearing down every ounce of creative content.

-Well...

Different from other times, George seemed more anxious about the meeting, which would yield enough fruit for the next 12 years. He could already count the numerous ideas that Billy brought under an imperative scheme of enough promises to make his eyes shine like stars. Although it wasn't at first, the franchise needed deep and generous ideas for the changing times, new special effects models, and more or less modern details without losing the previous content.

-Thank you, Erwin, we'll be here until noon. - said Billy.

-I'll accompany you, my purpose is to guide your well-being. - said Erwin.

He again felt the urge to ask how good the salary had to be for Erwin to take it so seriously.

Lucasfilm, always a luxury to behold, with its wonderful palm trees, resort-like atmosphere, and smiling employees who seemed like they were taken out of a toothpaste commercial, along with the gentle climate facilitated by spring, was perfect.

-Good morning, sir. You can go into Mr. Lucas's office if you like. - said Vicky, an old receptionist who had a certain history in what could have been the end of relationships.

-Miss. - said Billy.

Erwin followed them to the office entrance and took a seat near the door, just a glance, the security system didn't raise any suspicions, and everything seemed in apparent order.

-Mr. Lucas. - said Anne Hall.

-Miss Hall. Mr. Carson. - assisting Billy, who shook George's chubby hand.

-I heard the company has given the green light, and we might be able to start shooting for '96; what an ambitious project we have on our hands. - said George Lucas.

-No doubt, I also see it as a very big project, which can be considered the cream of the crop for the coming years. Although, I see rivalries and creations that may bring us some surprises. - said Billy.

-There's something you're not telling me. - said George Lucas.

-Time will put everything in its place. First, I brought up everything promised, however, to facilitate Anne's time, which is even more precise than mine, we'll put our digressions aside and focus on the accounts. - said Billy. The sense of mourning for not focusing on what he had worked on.

Not long ago, the planned strategy and why Anne was in the meeting, to be the handbrake, the minimum they could invest for the first Star Wars film was $90 million, including promotion. However, those values are suggestive; Anne will be the primary decision-maker and say no. Out loud.

-Of course, we couldn't make the movie without the numbers. - said George.

Anne adjusted her position; she had to be tough.

-In the negotiations we agreed upon in the board meeting of the previous quarter closed in October, the board decided to follow the outlined plans as follows: a total investment of $150 million will be made for the creation of a large studio for Star Wars in San Jose, in July 1996. The 15-acre property will feature production studio characteristics and a museum. It will include quality set features, a wax museum, history exhibits, a space for space sciences with NASA's assistance, and recollections of previous films. Additionally, a further investment of $150 million is expected in 1999 for its completion and finalization. There are plans to build a space dedicated to the Star Wars series, with up to 8% box office share to Lucasfilm and 10% of the sales added within the facilities. Success is expected to program the construction of a second park in Florida. These studios will be owned by Lux Animation... - Anne recited.

For the movie, the budget offered is $90 million, along with the potential involvement of a major Hollywood studio if Lux Distribution fails to meet the broadcast requirements. Therefore, an additional budget of $10 million is allocated for that eventuality. Along with subsequent investments of $100 million each for each movie, i.e., Movie 2, Movie 3... - Anne recited.

For the animated series, the first animated series in 2D is in progress, along with spin-offs, a 2D Star Wars movie during the licensing period, and finally a 3D series with the best tools Lux Animation can provide. - Anne recited.

-Well. - said George Lucas. What interested him was the quality of what would be done; the numbers would matter when renewing the license. - We have a more important plan to discuss. You've had me intrigued for almost a year about your plans for the franchise. You were arrogant; I hope you live up to your reputation. - said George Lucas.

Anne sighed and signed the contract. Billy signed it next, and finally, George signed it as Billy handed over the scripts and used What Transparency to project the Star Wars galaxy. Anne left for Pixar; she had some chores there due to the expansion of the second 3D animation film team, a very risky move due to the doubling of costs.

-George, think of it this way, this is the Star Wars universe, and many stories can be told in a galaxy far, far away. Read the scripts; my plans are as follows. - said Billy, taking a break. He should have sent the scripts before arriving, but time was tight yesterday.

George read the first chapter of "The Phantom Menace" carefully; the story was almost what George expected from his next trilogy, the birth of a legend. After some time, when Billy decided to draft the animated series "Timon and Pumbaa: Animated Series", George moved on to the next script, this time reading much faster. By the time he reached the halfway point of the second script, he stopped.

-It's fantastic. Let me have them; for now, I can say they're 90% approved. There are some things I'd like to change, however, I can't speak when I haven't read everything. But what intrigues me the most is your talent for shots. Do you want to be my assistant director? I could teach you how to handle the cameras. - said George Lucas.

A decent proposition.

-I can't say yes because my schedule is very busy, but count on my help behind the scenes as a producer. - said Billy.

Seeing Lucas's impressed eyes, he only had to continue.

-We have a trilogy; now we'll make a second trilogy that takes place 40 years earlier. Through the series, we'll fill in the gaps of those 40 years. However, I plan to continue even after the end. One of the most charismatic characters in cinema is Darth Vader; his appearance and sound inspire terror. I want to make five proposed series, all based on our ideas and the smart deal our planning can achieve. - said Billy.

Charting a timeline on when and how to develop the characters, each with different moments.

-This way, we have six movies in one trilogy, 1-3 and 4-6. However, we'll tell intermediate stories during the period of 1-3 with animated series, such as the Clone Wars. Important events will be portrayed in small 2D films. And another portrayal of what happens between 3-4, focuses on the story of Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Resistance, and Han Solo. We'll try to stick to live-action films for the transition to movies 7-9, starting from the moment Return of the Jedi ends. However, this is presumed to be 20 years in the future, or at least 25 years, all under Pixar's technology. In 25 years, I'll invest so much money in graphics and animation that reality will transcend animation. We have 25 years to plan the next trilogy. - said Billy.

Awakening hunger in George Lucas, who now, counting on the ambitions of the young man in front of him, knew that educating Star Wars was a fact.

-The principles must always be the same as I try to govern my companies for now: quality. Any project must be executed to the best quality, with good actors, good dubbing, and good graphic service. Only the best can sell as the best. The second step is the script; we need to not only capture action, fantasy, and space opera but also create storytellers, establish logic, and elevate the strong points of human questioning. The line between commercial and artistic, if I have to pay $30 million to hire Spielberg, then I will. Third, although making money is our main objective, the franchise is the most important. It should be for children, but it should also have dark moments. Only complementation makes work great. - said Billy.

-In this language, I can understand myself. But is there a need for so many series and movies? Wouldn't it be better to focus on specific projects and move on to the next one? It's a very tough workload to undertake these kinds of activities. - said George Lucas.

-I'll take care of the scripts, and well, the hiring of some adventurers who will work for Lux Comics is already in progress. Along with Dark Horse Comics, we have plenty of material for the creation of many series. They, as writers, will only enrich our universe. Besides, the projects for 2D movies are for eras 1000 years before the canon or the present point. - said Billy.

The conversation continued, especially regarding the creation of species and biomes.

The most difficult clause to establish with George Lucas was that the movies would have a special distribution to Lux Animation for at least 15 years after the end of the license. A clause that he hopes to extend in 2009 when the license expires.

******************************************************

Honestly, Disney messed up the Star Wars canon in a horrific way with some additions that probably shouldn't have been made. However, I won't deny that there are some endearing stories and great sequences. I've been reading the comics and the stories about the early years of the Force are good. Different notions between good and evil, and rivalries are still fantastic.

...