Earlier this month, film acquisition and distribution company FilmRise announced it has acquired the rights to Star Wars documentary Elstree 1976. The film surfaced on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and made its theatrical debut at the 2015 London Film Festival.
Elstree1976, which was directed by John Spira, shares the behind-the-scene story about the famous franchise. Its description reads:
“In 1976, during the hottest summer on record, Star Wars was shot in suburban North London. Nobody involved had any idea how big the film would become, many couldn’t even remember the title. Yet, for the extras and actors in smaller roles, their faces hidden in masks and helmets, this seemingly insignificant job would go on to color their lives even four decades later.
“ELSTREE 1976 is a portrait of a cross-section of these people; from the man inside the most iconic villain in film history to the guy whose character was completely cut from the final film. It tells the stories of their lives and explores the eccentric community they have formed, traveling the world, signing autographs for fans.”
During a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher stated:
“As evidenced by the incredible success of the latest Star Wars installment, the franchise has found its way back into mainstream consciousness. We are confident fans will enjoy this exploratory look into the lives of the original films’ actors and extras, as it provides them with a new perspective on this massive cultural phenomenon.”
The film is set to premiere in May 2016. Check out the film’s trailer below.
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