The Unbelievable Story Behind George Lucas' Legal Battle Over a Wild Star Wars Beer Commercial

A beer ad featured in a rerun of 1977's Star Wars has recently resurfaced online, sparking interest in a court case involving George Lucas himself. Star Wars, being one of the biggest franchises in history, often includes tie-in advertisements in its series. These ads are expected to be prominent in the upcoming movies, as the franchise aims to reclaim its dominance at the box office. Additionally, the upcoming TV shows of Star Wars will continue the trend of partnering with brands, similar to how Obi-Wan Kenobi collaborated with car giant Volkswagen.

Recently, an older merchandise tie-in from reruns of A New Hope has caught attention online, as shared by heyitswindy on X/Twitter. The video reveals a rerun of the iconic film that aired in Chile in the early 2000s, showcasing a unique way of incorporating ad-breaks into the film's runtime. To maintain the viewing experience and not disrupt the film, the ad is cleverly inserted into the film through an edit that humorously shows Obi-Wan Kenobi handing Luke Skywalker a beer in a mini ad-break.

Twitter article posted by Windy

George Lucas Wasn't Exactly A Fan Of This Beer Ad

Star Wars is moving on from George Lucas - George Lucas Wasn't Exactly A Fan Of This Beer Ad

The ad featured in the first Star Wars movie may have been funny, but George Lucas did not find it amusing. Lucasfilm took legal action after the founder filed a complaint with the Chilean Council for Self-Regulation and Advertising Ethics about the ad. The dispute was resolved in favor of Lucasfilm, and the ad was not broadcasted again in Chile.

Despite the ad now being seen as a humorous take on advertising, Lucsa did not appreciate the marketing approach. The loud and flashy promotion by the beer company was quite off-putting. Additionally, the idea of Obi-Wan offering Luke Skywalker a beer did not align with the overall vision for the Star Wars franchise, especially for Lucas! Therefore, taking down the ad was probably the right decision, even though the video resurfacing brought laughter to Star Wars fans.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights an intriguing incident involving a beer ad that aired during a rerun of "Star Wars: A New Hope." While the ad's humorous insertion into the film may have amused viewers, it drew the ire of George Lucas, who initiated legal action against its broadcast. The article provides a glimpse into the complexities of brand partnerships in the entertainment industry, where creators must balance commercial interests with the integrity of their artistic visions.

The article also sheds light on the evolving nature of advertising in films and television shows. As the boundaries between content and marketing continue to blur, it is essential for creators and marketers to find innovative ways to seamlessly integrate brands without compromising the narrative or the viewer's experience. The beer ad in question may have been a clever attempt at cross-promotion, but Lucas's decision to remove it demonstrates the importance of maintaining artistic control and ensuring that brand integrations align with the overall tone and message of the work.