Kevin Smith Downplays Star Wars "Overkill" Talk

Filmmaker and noted Star Wars fan Kevin Smith has chimed in (again) on the Disney acquisition of Lucasfilm, this time discussing what it means for the media saturation of Star Wars going forward. And his basic premise, to the contrary to what a lot of fans are unhappy about, Star Wars isn't going to be any more watered down by future chapters than it has been by the prequels, or by years of toys, board games, video games, expanded universe novels and graphic novels, amusement park rides and all the rest. "Now part of the Disney empire, Star Wars will become as ubiquitous as Starbucks. It's now as American as baseball and apple pie and as universal as Coca-Cola. In our current business climate of outsourcing, Star Wars may be America's last remaining dependable export. So it's a good thing they're taking the expanded universe approach: giving Yoda, Boba Fett and Han Solo their own movies is creatively and financially ingenious," Smith told The Hollywood Reporter, adding, "You can't call it the commodification of Star Wars because the creator himself first commodified Star Wars a long, long time ago in a decade far, far away with toys and bed sheets and inflatable light sabers. Star Wars has always been big business. It's a roller-coaster ride in a theme park: thrilling, fun and good for repeat business. And as you leave the ride, you're compelled to buy a T-shirt and snow globe memento."