Between the Star Wars saga and merchandising, it’s an old love affair worth billions of dollars. But there are also many drifts and unfortunate creations, not to mention the moon…
If there’s one franchise whose merchandising is truly irresistible, and has been for decades, it’s Star Wars. The sale of derivative products was not exactly a novelty before the arrival of George Lucas’ space opera story. But the latter raised it to a level never before achieved.
For the record, Fox offered the filmmaker a $500,000 salary to direct Star Wars. Lucas refused and asked to keep his salary at $150,000; Similar to what he touched on for American graffiti. In return, he claimed to own the rights to all future Star Wars merchandising; and reserve the right to any consequences.
Bottom line for George Lucas: Between 1977 and 1978, Star Wars made over $100 million from toys alone. Since then, the revenue generated by merchandising has been counted in the billions of dollars. The first film in the story grossed $3 billion a year. If the director had built a technological empire with Lucasfilm, Lucas was quickly taxed as a toy merchant…
That said, Star Wars licensing has experienced real abuse, sometimes not outright WTF. Italians know this: In the 1990s, they had the privilege of fighting plaque and cavities with a Star Wars toothpaste, promoted in a mind-blowing ad in which a transalpine Luke Skywalker faced off against a Darth Vader taking on him. But that’s before Luke finally uses the ad hoc toothpaste/lightsaber to defeat Vader.
Before Disney took over Lucasfilm, Europe was spoiled, so to speak. For the release of Star Wars – Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Germany owned it Star Wars toilet paperAnd Roll in paper towels.
In Great Britain, the airline Virgin Atlantic takes care of passengers by slipping a vomit bag stamped with a video game cover into the front pocket of their armchair. Star Wars – Revenge of the Sith. No, this is not a joke. evidence here.
Ahead of The Phantom Menace’s 3D release in 2012, France was treated to an all-black Darth Vader burger Written by Quick. And of course, to avoid making anyone jealous, JD Burger …
Jar Jar threat
If we forget a beautiful nugget we will be missing, the occasion of release Star Wars – Episode I: The Phantom Menace, in the United States. Do you remember where the short sequence of the film is? Qui-Gon bit Jar Jar Binks’ tongue ? Marketing wizards had the idea to make Lollipop straight away.
A creation as embarrassing as it is brutal, which even Mark Hamill noted.
Don’t believe that the sale of Lucasfilm to Disney by Lucas put an end to this lunar merchandising. Mickey was no longer in the mood at home. In 2015, Americans were able to fill their shopping carts Star Wars Apple BagSame thing though with orange.
For Star Wars – The Force Awakens, they were able to add to their basket… Lettuce, complete with a reproduction of the tiny robot BB-8. Yes yes.
And while you’re in the edible category, would you like a fruit for dessert, like this banana?
As the Noonerland team well said, “The worst never disappoints”…