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Should New Line Cinema follow suit? - Lord of the Rings news - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

November 08, 2000 at 13:51:01

Lucas Online, a division of LucasFilm Ltd., has entered into a deal with AtomFilms to provide material fans can use to make their own Star Wars movies.

That's right. The precious Star Wars franchise has just expanded to embrace fan productions on the Internet. Lucasfilm will provide sound and video clips that creative fans may use to put together their own spoofs and documentaries.

What's more, the fans will be able to promote those spoofs and documentaries on AtomFilms' site.

This is a major step toward breaking down the barrier between studio protections of trademark and copyright properties and allowing online fandom to help promote studio properties for free.

So, what does this have to do with Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings"? As Yoda might say, "Everything! Fan creativity leads to online fandom. Online fandom leads to increased enthusiasm and support for a movie. Increased enthusiasm and support for a movie leads to greater fun for all (or most)." But will New Line Cinema go for the gusto?

"Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon unlike any other in film history," said Scott Roesch, Director of Web Entertainment for AtomFilms. "We are thrilled to be leveraging our online entertainment expertise to create the first official short film outlet for the loyal Star Wars fans."

Hm. Sounds like AtomFilms is throwing down the gauntlet. We sense much fear in New Line. May they find their way to the right side of the Force!