There are a number of factors contributing to the controversy surrounding the new George Lucas’ film Red Tails, and all of them are worth at least a little discussion. The leading contributor to the buzz on the film was George Lucus’ claim in an interview with Jon Stewart, that Hollywood wouldn’t back the production because it featured an all-black cast.

The next largest controversy seems to spin off that claim, and centers on the declaration that Lucas is just trying to put people in the seats. Smaller discussions are taking place about Lucas’ “worry” that if Red Tails isn’t a financial success that black filmmakers will forever be at a disadvantage in Hollywood, as well as Lucas’ claim that The Help isn’t a black movie (but that Red Tails is).

Finally, the smallest controversy is reserved for a random cult of activists claiming that Red Tails is biased against black women because of an onscreen romance between one of the Tuskegee Airman and an Italian woman—a complaint we’ll discard as ludicrous from the get go. Given the plethora of nitpicking that surrounds Red Tails, let’s tackle the issues to reveal how much merit, if any, the discussion has.

Hollywood Won’t Back Black Action Stars
Or more specifically, movies in which the majority of lead roles are occupied by black actors. While I’d never accuse George Lucas of simply making this up, I think there may be more at play here than “Hollywood hates black people.” First, Bad Boys 1 and 2 are an easy counter to the claim that black action stars aren’t marketable. While one of those stars was Will Smith, one of the most marketable actors ever, both films were commercial successes, and both films fielded predominantly black casts.

Hollywood Won’t Back Bad Dialogue
A more likely scenario for George Lucas’ constant rejection was the director himself. Even during the original Star Wars, Lucas’ actors felt his dialogue was suspect. As Harrison Ford once said after reading a portion of the script, “George you can type this shit, but you sure as hell can’t say it.”

Here’s what the Red Tails pitch meeting must’ve sounded like:

Lucas: “…involves racism, so it’s potentially offensive and could totally blow up in your face. Not to worry though, I’ll navigate those troubled waters relying on the strength of my screenwriting ability and directing skills.”

Producer: (shuddering) “Mr. Lucas, I’m afraid we’ll have to pass.”

Multiply that critique by every producer George Lucas visited and you can understand why he dished out a reported $90 million of his own money to get Red Tails on screen. What being “independently financed” ultimately means in terms of media pandering is difficult to say, though.

See The Movie…Or Support Big Brother
It could be interpreted as Lucas’ righteous desire to ensure that these brave soldiers’ story gets told, even if it costs him a personal fortune. But it’s also easy to see why some have declared Lucas’ timing on his remarks (one week before opening weekend) a PR stunt. If Red Tails becomes more than a historical action flick, if its success in the box office equates to the success of black films everywhere, then the movie will pull viewers even if it can’t stand on it’s own merits.

This skeptical line of reasoning gains steam when considering some of the other statements Lucas made in the week leading into Red Tails’ release, particularly his claim that The Help wasn’t a black movie, implying that Red Tails is. The only reason to discredit a quality film featuring prominent roles for black women is to reinforce the crowd-catching scare tactics Lucas affixed to his film. By this logic, anyone who sees The Help, but doesn’t see Red Tails is perpetuating the bigotry of Hollywood. Not to demean or diminish the reality of racism in industries across the United States, but George is reaching on this one. Given that white guys directed both movies (and both discuss pivotal moments in the evolution of civil rights) eye-rolling is unavoidable.

Lucas’ rallying cry to break down barriers in Hollywood came forty years too late, which makes this smack of insincerity. Either way, Red Tails grossed $19.1 million it’s opening weekend, coming in just behind Underworld and proved two things: black Hollywood appears safe from financial exclusion, and vampires trump courageous military pioneers.

About the author: Jaime is an avid hiker and skier who loves to write in her spare time for CenturyLinkQuote.com– home of Century Link.

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black actors, black filmmakers, Goerge Lucas, Red Tails, Red Tails Controversy, star wars, Underworld Movie Editorials