Dark
Horses
Many of you, if you are interested somewhat in college basketball
here in the states, know what the term dark horse means. Because
every year come time for the NCAA Tournament, everyone is talking
about which team or teams are going to be their dark horses.
Meaning which teams they think are really tough and are an
obvious choice to contend. At least thats where I know the
term dark horse from.
In todays movie industry, the big blockbuster hits
always seem to get and are willing to pay the Will Smiths, Al
Pacinos, Bruce Willis, and even Harrison Fords of the
world. With the obvious blockbuster level of money and hype
episode 1 is going to have come next May, it could be suprising
to some that George didnt cast Leonardo DiCaprio as
Obi-Wan, Ben Affleck as Anikan in episode 2, Kate Winslet as
Padme, Al Pacino as Qui-Gon Jinn, and Will Smith as Mace Windu.
Those are obviously some of the biggest stars of the year. But
old George manufactures his own stars. The people cast for the
prequels are obviously not big stars at all. Thats why they
are dark horses. And in this case they WILL contend to go all of
the way to stardom just as a dark horse in the NCAA tournament
could contend for the title.
Think about Harrison Ford. He was virtually an unknown
working as a carpenter. Then came Han Solo. Then came a megastar.
Even Mark Hamill. He was an unknown, and though he never did
anything huge after ROTJ, he is still very well known and a big
star as far as people knowing who he is. The same thing goes for
Carrie Fisher.
Liam Neeson is the biggest star in the cast, but even he
isnt too well known. Some people I have talked too
didnt know who he was. But after episode 1, I am sure he
will become one of the most sought after actors on the market.
The same thing goes for Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman (I
think her, especially). I am sure she will be the next female
megastar. Ewan will also be sought after and become a huge star
in Scotland at least.
George is like a great sports front office. He
doesnt need to sign the Shaquille ONeals of the world
for tons of money. He saves money and hype and gets actors who
are every bit as good as Leo "King of the World" and
makes them into as big as him or bigger. He also doesnt
just go out and hire some actor with a huge name. Because that
would put all of the attention on him alone come next May. He
wants the story to take the attention, which it should. After
all, thats the most important thing. Which is what most
moviemakers tend to forget. (Take a hint, James Cameron). It
seems that Leo has completely overshadowed the whole movie. That
happens to many big name movies these days. Remember that no one
individual completely overshadowed any of the Star Wars movies. I
mean Mark Hamill was the main star of the movies but Harrison
turned into the biggest star of all of them. With both remembered
equally for the trilogy. But yet on the outside of the carton
which encases The Star Wars Trilogy: Special Edition, it is the
most famous screen villain of all time taking the cover. So
everyone is basically thought of as equals while the story is
never forgotten. Being the most famous of all time. Also think of
the legendary score. Also the most famous of all time. My point
is, that the movie is always regarded as a whole with no one
actor overshadowing everything. Why dont most movie makers
take after George. Then I think movies would even be better than
they are now.