A Tale of Two Tinkerers: Is J.K. Rowling Becoming This Generation’s George Lucas? «

 

"I can’t remember the first time I saw the original Star Wars trilogy, but I do remember watching the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition on VHS and the uncomfortable feelings of slowly uncoiling nerd-rage that followed forthwith. It’s a feeling shared by many. The releases of Episodes I-III, starting in 1999, with all of their kindergarten clumsy character beats, scenes of Force-powered domestic abuse, and problematic Jar Jar/Trade Federation racial-anthropomorphism, only added insult to my inner child’s injury..

Lucas, it seemed, could not stop himself, years and decades after the fact, from defacing his original masterpiece whenever a new technology allowed him to satisfy his ur-vision for ever more Stormtroopers, X-wings, random dinosaurs, Jabba just walking around, and brand-new sound effects. Lucas’s method of handling his film legacy is more in line with the way jam bands approach writing setlists than with conventional filmmaking.

I mention this because, with the surprise release of a new Harry Potter story, it’s tempting to wonder if J.K. Rowling is on her way to becoming her generation’s George Lucas. Like Lucas, she’s creator of a pop-cultural fantasy phenomenon, with a veritable ocean of money in the bank and the industry clout to get anything she writes published. Like Lucas, much to the consternation of her fans, she can’t let go of the world she built, constantly redefining characters, straightening the portraits in the hallways, and dropping in on thirtysomething wizards who are just trying to enjoy a Quidditch match."

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A Tale of Two Tinkerers: Is J.K. Rowling Becoming This Generation’s George Lucas? «: by netw3rk