I found the following on the BBC website this morning:

Lucas admits Star Wars 'let down'


Lucasfilm says Attack Of The Clones will be an improvement

Film director George Lucas has admitted the first Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace, was a disappointment.
In a discussion of the huge marketing operation that accompanied the film, the director's company Lucasfilm said: "The last movie did not live up to expectations."

The admission was reported by Newsweek, which had obtained a copy of a Lucasfilm merchandise marketing document.

The Phantom Menace still went on to earn nearly $1bn (£690m) around the world, making it the fourth-biggest grossing film ever released.

But the marketing document quoted by Newsweek appears to reveal Lucas' concerns about the film - and promises the new Star Wars adventure, Attack Of The Clones, will be an improvement.

The new film will have a "darker feel, closer to the original saga" and "no silly characters or kids", says the Lucasfilm document.

Many devoted Star Wars fans were disappointed by The Phantom Menace, which was criticised for having a weak plot, stereotypical characters and an over-reliance on computer effects.

Lucasfilm has also conceded that the associated toys for the film were "over-licensed," "over-shipped" and "over-saturated".

The merchandising operation for the film was so vast that much stock was left unsold, disenchanting toy shops and other retailers.

Pespi alone manufactured eight billion cans of Star Wars soft drinks for The Phantom Menace - Lucas' first directorial effort in 22 years.

Lucasfilms is having no soft drink sponsor for Attack Of The Clones, and the number of licences for associated merchandise has been cut by two-thrids.

British actor Ewan McGregor, who starred as the young Obi Wan Kenobi in Episode I, has also said he thought the film was "disappointing" and "flat".

But in an interview for the FilmFour website, he said the next in the series was "much better".

"I think there's much more humour and there's much more colour - it's more reminiscent of the original three Star Wars films than Episode I was."

Attack of the Clones opens worldwide on 16 May.

Finally he admits it [img]smile.gif[/img]

"The new film will have a "darker feel, closer to the original saga" and "no silly characters or kids", says the Lucasfilm document. "

This makes me infinitly glad... hope it is true

I seconed, third, and forth that opionion, Jorath!

GOD! I was disapointed like you wouldn't believe. That movie almost ruined the whole damn idea! They had better be telling the truth about Ep. II and not just be trying to sell it to more people!

i was pleased by the phantom menace and thoght it was a great movie and it did a great job of standing alone and starting the whole story of like star wars ANH did 25 years ago.if you look at it ANH was a lot lighter and funny movie compared too TESB and return of the jedi!

i am disapointed about the press release

<font color="lightgreen">I agree with Dragonwolf. It was a good movie, it fitted in well with the original trilogy in the way that the first was bright, colourful, funny, and maybe a bit predictable. The second should be an adventure, mysterious, and reminicent of The Empire Strikes Back.

What I dont get with The Phantom Menace is why everyone hates Jaja!! I thought that for a computer graphic designed for 5 year olds, he was quite clever. </font>

THATS MY POINT!!!!

He was designed for 5 year olds!!! EXACTLY!!!! They are degrading Star Wars by doing such childish things!! I expect Star Wars to be cool, not stupid! Ex---The battles kicked and so did the race, and I got along well with the story and the ditigal things, but the fact that it was aimed to children outrages me!!! EGADS!!!

Phantom Menace outright STUNK. Good thing I waited for video. As for the new one......it would take a lot to make me go see it. I've seen the trailers. Blahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

When I hear lightsabres swinging my brain releases happy pills so its all the one to me.

Keep in mind that George always designed Star Wars to be fun for small boys - they are his primary target audience. It was a great surprise to him that the originals were as popular with such a wide audience as they were. I didn't like Jar Jar personally, but they are kids' movies just as much, if not more in George's eyes, as adults' movies. Don't be outraged, be pleased and grateful that adults can enjoy so fully what are really movies for younger people [img]smile.gif[/img]

Really??? [img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] I never even knew that!!! I've whatched Star Wars and read the books about them (I have a post that hasn't been answered about that) since I was a young teenager. I always enjoyed the seriousness kinda... ya know what I mean.... And loved them... I always liked them, but I don't know why... its just that all of this unseriousness in Episode I kinda bugged me.

Man I rant and rave alot!!