Strange Magic Cast Interviews Including Mr. George Lucas #StrangeMagic

You can tell how popular a press event is if you arrive 30 minutes in advance and the room is half-filled. And what star could generate that much heat? Not an actress or celebrity but the iconic, reclusive and rarely interviewed George Lucas. Lucas was in attendance to discuss  his latest movie “Strange Magic” which can be best described as a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Let me say that being in the presence of George Lucas was a highlight for me, not only because I have idolized the Star Wars series from the very beginning but I really wanted to hear how Strange Magic came to be given how different it is from his previous films and it’s animated. George Lucas and animation does not compute in mind!

What truly surprised me was how open Lucas was in describing the inspiration for the movie and his personal life especially how he ended  up married again.  Having two adult daughters and a little 18 month old daughter made him want to make a movie for 12 year old girls, given that Star Wars was more for 12 year old boys.  Adding that he was interested in a more female-centric movie that hopefully will work for everybody. Having seen the movie, while Marianne, the Princess Fairy is the lead, she is very much a tomboy at heart who can use a sword. What boy is going to think that is cool?

I know movies take a long time but Lucas has been working on the movie even while he was directing Star Wars. That is a long time folks.

What distinguishes “Strange Magic” from other musicals, is while the movie includes popular songs from the past six decades, the original song list  were from Lucas’ personal  catalog of favorite songs  and some were from his “American Graffiti” archive of songs. These were all songs he loved and wanted to hear in the movie to propel the storyline.  He was quite clear when the project began that he wanted music he liked not what other people liked. You can definitely tell that the movie’s final song list was influenced by his choices but also that it was a collaborative effort with his musical director Marius de Vries (“Moulin Rouge”.)

I loved the comment from Mitch at gaynycdad.com that the two unconventionally unattractive heroes get the girls. Lucas  made the point that the story is about showing the difference between infatuation and real love and that kids need to be told this  in every generation but with a slight 60s and  70s twist. Lucas even made the off- hand comment about falling in love with a boy band and how that won’t last. Isn’t that a familiar experience for every tween/teen girl?  At this point in the interview he spoke very personally about not believing in getting married ever again and spent 20 years as a bachelor knowing full well he would never marry any of these women but then one day… This was very heart felt and surprising he would be so open to find someone who was a complete opposite of him but still they both had the same morals, values and finish each other’s sentences. Awww!!  And from my part, I was so angry with myself for not video taping the interview. It was quite moving knowing that Lucas is a very private man.

Lucas is well known for having his point of view. He mentioned that the original concept of the movie was an opera with no talking of which every body said it couldn’t be done. Obviously, he was talked out of it. He also wanted the Bog King to be as ugly as possible combining preying mantis and a cockroach. Eww, right! Again, there was a lot of skepticism and controversy that the Ugly Bog King and beautiful Princess Fairy should kiss. And yet it works.

The last question of the interview “why did you make the movie?” was asked by a little boy. Lucas expressed what I think everyone would want their job to be, “I wanted to have fun, I get to listen to music and go to work.”

Fun Facts from the Cast of Strange Magic, Musical director & composer: Marius de Vries and Director  Gary Rydstrom.

 

 

 

• Everyone agreed that “Strange Magic”  was their favorite song (and mine.)
• This was Director Gary Rydstrom first full-length animated feature.
• The biggest challenge for Alan Cumming was how difficult it was to get back into his character given the length of time between recordings which could be months while Evan Rachel Wood mentioned how difficult it was singing while she was pregnant.
• This was Sam Palladio’s first animated feature.

 

• Not a fact but something to take away from the movie but a very poignant comment from Elijah “How much courage it takes to love somebody! And fighting through the obstacles for the one you love.
• Elijah Kelly (voice of “Sunny”) was the only cast member that George Lucas knew before casting began. Kelly starred in Lucasfilm’s Red Tails.
• George Lucas literally just  met Alan Cummings on Friday before our interview but had been working together for 5 years.

Check out the “Strange Magic” Trailer

While I enjoyed chatting with the cast of Strange Magic, let me say while it was a brief interlude with the iconic George Lucas, I was just thrilled beyond belief to be able a part of Lucasfilm Strange Magic press event.

Stay Connected: Facebook  //  Twitter // Instagram  // Vine @StrangeMagic

STRANGE MAGIC opens in theatres everywhere on January 23rd! And you will be captivated by the story and the music. Stay tuned for my review.

 Disclosure: NYC Single Mom attended the press event for Strange Magic and was not compensated for this post.