Below is a collection of reviews and emails from Star Wars fans who have seen the original cut of FANBOYS.  They are just a few of the people who don't want the Weinstein Company to alter the movie and turn it into a mindless yuk-fest that portrays Star Wars fans as loser criminals!

THEY DEMAND THE ORIGINAL VERSION,
MADE BY THE FANS, FOR THE FANS!
AND SO DO WE!
SEND US YOUR OPINION or REVIEW
and
JOIN THE BOYCOTT!

Gregg Says:
July 24, 2007 at 2:56 pm

I had the honour of attending the Fanboys rough cut screening at Celebration Europe. It was a unique movie experience, with spontaneous cheering and applause throughout, capped with a double standing ovation. It was unlike any previous film screening I’d attended, and was a highlight amongst a weekend of highlights. Good luck to Kyle and the team for the film’s release in 2008.

-Link

January 30th, 2008 at 9:04 am

Well, to those who haven’t seen it, from one who saw it at Star Wars Celebration Europe, 14th July 2007 in the Platinum Suite Theatre ExCel - THERE WAS NO NEED TO MESS WITH THIS SAVE SWEETENING. If they go with the non-cancer version, it’ll be just another film to reside in the Meet The Spartans/Scary Movie/ Epic Movie dustbin. The film without the MAIN DRIVING FORCE behind the story and it’s characters will be simply so shallow there won’t be enough to make a puddle. This film had a heart as big as a bStucket and was funny as hell to boot.

I’m not going and I sure as hell ain’t paying for a version that makes the characters appear selfish shallow and without soul.

YES. the rough cut of the film was THAT good. I could go on, but there is no point. People are so damn impatient, and have already made up their minds they deserve the “lesser” version.

Real fans deserve better…MUCH better. Period.

Link

Standing Ovation for Fanboys
Rough Cut at Star Wars Celebration Europe

This is a brief video clip taken with a camera phone.
Everyone present at the screening confirms that there were actually
THREE STANDING OVATIONS for the original version of the film!

DO ANY OF THESE PEOPLE LOOK LIKE THEY
WANT THE MOVIE CHANGED, DARTH WEINSTEIN?

Re: Fanboys Rough Cut Premiere at Celebration Europe
by Essa-3 (Sat Jul 14 2007 14:33:37)

Must say it was an amazing experience to watch this 'rough cut' (sound fx and most music was included, one or two scenes yet to be filmed and some of the voice sounds were hard to make out) with a crowd of hyped up star wars fans. Earned a standing applause. Good references. Great cameos. And it will probably be better by the time of release in Jan.

-Link

Re: Fanboys Rough Cut Premiere at Celebration Europe
by felastica (Sun Jul 15 2007 16:40:40)


Yeah, I saw the rough-cut at CE too and I confirm it was excellent. Absolutely hilarious. After the screening me and some friends went on to the party, but all evening long I kept laughing out loud as I remembered another joke from the film.

Really looking forward to seeing an even more polished version, as well as the promised deleted scene with Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and Zak Knutson *beep* from Clerks 2).

Kyle also pretty much promised continental distribution in Europe. He told a German audience member that if the film wasn't made available in Germany, he would 'bring the film to your house and show it to you'.

-Link

Re: Fanboys Rough Cut Premiere at Celebration Europe
by repairmanjack (Mon Jul 16 2007 09:45:54)

I was also at the Celebration Europe showing and I have to say that I thought the film was great. There were a few rough edges that need to be smoothed out (it was only the rough cut after all) but on the whole it was one of the better comedy movies that I've seen recently. Lets hope that Kyle manages to get Mark Hamill for the extra shooting in September though!

-Link

 

Wed, 5 Mar 2008

I am part of the 501st (and the Rebel Legion) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and we put in a lot of time helping on Fanboys (the original version, not the reshoots). We in the Dewback Ridge Squad (and Mos Alba, our NM FanForce) assembled armor, dresses the actors in armor, lent costumes and props, made the Ewok costume, made the THX Guard silver masks.
 
Here is my webpage detailing our adventures with the Fanboys people:
http://www.bladeseller.com/fanboys/Journal.htm
 
I'm upset by what I've been reading about the re-edits and the direction the movie is going. I'll spread the word about your site.

-Ken VanLyssel (TK166)

Wed, 27 Feb 2008

Hey Guys,

I worked on Fanboys and I am pissed!

 
I fabricated props and wardrobe for the film. I also had a part as a primary extra as well. I just wanted to let you know that myself and others who worked on Fanboys here in Albuquerque support your plan of attack!

Good luck with the boycott!

 

Original Cut of Fanboys - Review From Ain't It Cool News:

Hi Harry,

I've never contributed before as I've never been lucky enough to be in the position where I might have something to contribute! However, I felt compelled to send an email about a little movie I saw this weekend at the Star Wars Celebration Europe convention in London.

Just to set the scene, I 'll tell you a little bit about the events surrounding the rough cut screening of Kyle Newman's Fanboys. My brother and I checked out the schedule for Saturdays activities and realised that Rick McCallum was going to be talking to Warwick Davies just prior to the screening of Fanboys, a film which I've been looking forward to ever since seeing the trailer. Around half way through Rick's chat, I received a text message from a friend saying that the queue for Fanboys had already started and that he'd save my brother and I a place (Rick was very cool, by the way- a jobbing screenwriter asked Rick if he could take a look at a spec script he'd written for the upcoming live action Star Wars TV show and rather than dismiss the guy, Rick directed the guy to his legal team- awesome).

So, we hooked up with our buddy and sat down for the film. Shortly before the movie was due to screen, we experienced another cool moment. A couple of people started to walk down the right-hand side of the screening room and then my brother nudges me and says 'hey, its Rick!!'. Sure enough, I turn to my left and there is Mr. McCallum who I'm guessing had turned up for the screening. He smiled and gave everyone a wave when he realised a few folks had spotted him- seems like a really cool guy.

The coolness didn't stop there! The film was also presented by it's director Kyle Newman, who simply said it was a pet project which snowballed and that he hoped we enjoyed the movie.

Stop worrying Kyle- Man, did we enjoy it!! I'm not gonna get deep in to the film and attempt to dissect it, nor am I going to spoil it (some great cameos in there!!), suffice to say that its a fantastic movie. Not only is it frequently and consistently funny, it has a great big heart too. Sure, its a love letter to Star Wars and a celebration of what it means to people, but its also a celebration of life. The story is simple but beautiful, the dialogue and performances are fantastic and I would be surprised if any self-respecting Star Wars fan didn't fall in love with it. Of course, some may ask 'what does it offer those who aren't into Star Wars?' Seems kinda redundant to me. It'd be like asking 'what does any episode of Star Wars offer those who aren't in to it?' Its just pointless considering the film's genesis, but having said that, it does very much have its own thing going on and I believe that even those who aren't into Star Wars would enjoy it as a great coming of age, buddy movie, with 5 really likeable central characters- ultimately, the film really becomes about them. Of course, some of the more subtle references will be lost on general movie goers, but I think there's more than enough to it for it to be able to stand on it own 2 feet- but its gonna be 10 times sweeter for you if you grew up loving Lucas' classic saga!!

In short, the movie is a hell of a lot of fun, with great performances, great characters and a big heart and I'd urge anyone to go see it when it is released next January.

And a message for Kyle Newman: Yourself, the cast and the crew more than deserved the 2 standing ovations we bestowed upon you- you've made an absolute cracker!

Thanks for reading Harry. If you use this, just call me Darth-Withnail!!

-Link

Frosty Sneaks Into the First Test Screening of 'Fanboys'
8/17/2006
Posted by Frosty

Perhaps this should have been two articles. The first being on me and Star Wars, the second on the film Fanboys. But since the film caused me to think about everything all at once, I thought they should go together'.

I love living in Los Angeles. Not only do we have all the best movie theaters, sorry Austin, but almost every time I go to a theater someone is standing outside handing out free passes to a future movie.

Most of the time I don't want to see what they are offering as it always seems that it is a romantic comedy, or some piece of shit horror film. But once in awhile it's something that I care about, like the other day when a gentleman asked me if I wanted to see a film called Fanboys, and he told me it had to do with Star Wars. I literally had to contain myself from laughing, as not only was this a film that I was familiar with as I interviewed the director Kyle Newman a few months back, but this was actually a film that I really wanted to see.

Pardon me for a moment, I need to come out of the geek closet.

As far back as I can remember I have been a Star Wars fan, just like a lot of you. I have collected the toys, I have debated the movies, and I have been to sci-fi conventions. For the large majority of my life Star Wars has been with me, almost like Sam to Frodo, the films have had my back.

That is, until recently.

For whatever reason, maybe its maturity, maybe it's the prequels, maybe I just finally found more to life than constantly talking about some movies that came out decades ago. The point is, over the last few years I have finally broken up with my long-time partner Star Wars, and to be honest, I am still in the recovery stage.

It is really weird to be so into something for so long and then out of the blue, to have fallen out of love. Because that is what it kind of feels like, almost like I have fallen out of love. I still respect the films, and I still am curious about this new TV show, but it just doesn't consume me like it did in the past. And I am kind of sad to say this, I am happy that it is finally over. I almost feel like what a recovering heroin addict must feel like when they have finally gotten over the hump. Yeah I know that is kind of a stretch, but trust me, if you knew how much I was into Star Wars, the analogy is not so far off.

So over the last year or two I have been dealing with my lack of interest in Star Wars and then out of the blue this film called Fanboys comes along.

The basic premise is, imagine it is the year 1998 and you are one year away from Episode One. You and your friends are recently out of High School and are still really into Star Wars, except for one friend who separated from the group and grew up and took some responsibility, getting a job at his family's car dealership. While he moved on, all the rest stayed the same, playing video games, still living at home, and of course, still debating all things Star Wars.

Anyway for some reason they all end up at the same party and see each other for the first time in years. Without going into spoiler territory, which I fucking hate when people do, it ends up that one of the friends is dying from cancer and the group reforms to go across the country to get their friend into Lucas Ranch to see Episode One before he dies. So as you can tell, while the film really has a lot to do with Star Wars, it also tackles real things like friendship, growing up, and life.

Remember this was that time when the original films were all anyone had, a time when the franchise was still pure and the toys had all come back and it was really cool to be into the films (at least for me and my friends). Ordinary people used to wear the vintage t-shirts and even if you were a nerd about it, it was kind of socially acceptable.

Quite simply, Fanboys is a film that Kevin Smith wishes he would have made. The film has a lot of the same elements as a Kevin Smith movie except Fanboys has one major advantage, it has been directed. (Sorry Kevin, but while I dig your dialogue, as a director I have never been impressed). From the camera work to the fleshed out three-dimensional characters, I bought into the world of Fanboys and the actors who portrayed them.

And while I would love to do reviews as good as Beaks does them'.

Things that I dug about the film.

The performances by the actors. Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, Sam Huntington and Kristen Bell. While some are names that you know, like Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars), all of them are people that once you see their picture, you realize you have seen them in a lot of things before. But even if you haven't, all five of them have this great chemistry and really seem like they have been friends for years. The other thing that I found was how the characters they portrayed reminded me of certain friends in real life. Anytime you see someone acting like a friend onscreen, your relationship is that much closer with the film. Last let me say that Kristen Bell does something in the film that every guy is going to really enjoy. While I have never watched Veronica Mars, I might start this season.

The cameos. While I don't want to spoil all of the people who appear in the movie, as seeing them pop up during the second half is quite fun, a scene that made my friends and I laugh out loud featured an appearance by the one and only Harry Knowles, the Ain't it Cool News master chief. Mind you, this was not the real Harry in the film, but an actor playing him. In the movie Harry plays the man who is responsible for getting the plans of Lucas Ranch into the hands of our hero's. But instead of an easy hand off, let's just say Harry has to kick some ass first. If you have ever met Harry, trust me, this is the most accurate portrayal of a real person I have ever seen in cinema history. I just wish the film had him using his nunchucks, cause as we all know, Harry has those with him at all times. [/sarcasm]

The other person who is absolutely perfect in the film and plays a few characters is the brilliant Seth Rogen. One thing that has to be said about Fanboys is this is the first movie to use Seth as a Will Farrell type guest star. Seth gives himself over to the roles, disappearing in makeup as he plays a Star Trek fanboy. One of his other characters loves Star Wars, but to tell you what he plays would ruin some good surprises.

The thing that I really think carries the film is how all the characters feel real. Each person has been fleshed out just enough that even though the film is only a bit over an hour and a half, I knew each person like he was my friend. Perhaps this is due to all of my real life friends who have acted, or still act like the people I saw on the screen. Whatever the reason, I thought it worked.

Finally the music.

One of the main characters only listens to Rush and the songs The Spirit of Radio and Red Barchetta play a big part in some of the action. And Weezer. Any film that uses anything off Weezer's Blue CD gets big thumbs up from me.

One of the only things that the film has to be worried about is how it walks the line of reality and fantasy. Sometimes the movie is winking at you, like with the celebrity castings, and other times the film is very much based in reality, like when dealing with the very real issue of death. While none of the jokes are too unreal, to try and keep a mainstream audience with the story the filmmakers are going to have to be careful. And while I knew all the celebrity cameos as soon as they appeared on screen, some of them played very flat to the audience that I was with. In the car ride home I had to explain who Ray Park was to my friends.

I think that everyone who has ever loved Star Wars is really going to enjoy all the inside jokes and little touches that the film peppers throughout the journey across the country. While watching the film it was great to hear who really knew Star Wars, as we were the only ones laughing at certain things. It was almost like we were watching our own movie inside the other movie.

But the great thing as I have said before is that the film works even if you don't know anything about Star Wars. Ultimately what drives this film are the performances by the actors. You don't have to care about Episode One or even Star Wars in general to appreciate what they are trying to do. If you had a friend who was dying, and they wanted to do something before they died, wouldn't you do everything you could to make that dream a reality. That is Fanboys. Great friends trying to help a friend.

While the rough cut we saw tonight is not perfect, I see a great film inside. With some tightening and fine tuning this Star Wars road trip movie might break through to the main stream. While the film is filled with numerous inside jokes for all of us fanboys, the heart of the film is all about friendship.

The point I am trying to make is the film is a lot of fun and really took me back to the way I felt about Star Wars in the late 90's. There was a time when I lived and breathed all things Lucas and this film paints that reality as neither good nor bad, it just is. And while I have moved on from Star Wars in my every day life, watching the film I had a smile all across my face. I think anyone who has ever enjoyed being a die-hard fanboy about anything is going to enjoy this film, especially jaded, used to be die-hard, Star Wars fans.

-Link

Re: Fanboys Rough Cut Premiere at Celebration Europe
by Chainsaw-1 (Mon Jul 16 2007 13:09:25)

Hi guys.

I was at Celebration Europe this weekend (met Mark Hamill!!) and was determined to see Fanboys having been impressed by the trailer. It was an extra treat to have Kyle Newman present the movie and a very cool moment when Rick Mcallum walked in for the screening too!!

Anyways, the movie exceeded my expectations. Not only was it pant-wettingly hilarious, it was massively heartfelt too. Its essentially a love-letter to Star Wars and a celebration of what it means to people, but more than that, its a celebration of life.

The standing ovation, which I was proud to be a part of, was well deserved and I'll be paying to see the final version when its released next year. I'll be shocked if any self-respecting Star Wars fan with a sense of humour didn't fall in love with the film- from what I could see at the Celebration Europe screening, everybody dug the film completely and utterly.

Kyle Newman (if you're reading!!), you've made a classic of which you can be very proud and I wish you all the best for the future.

The story follows a group of friends who try to break in Skywalker Ranch to steal a copy of Star Wars Episode 1. The reason they finally agree to do it is because one of the friends in dying of cancer and won't live to see it in theaters. Apparently the Apatow people have done research which says most people won't laugh for 5 or 10 minutes after cancer is mentioned so they want to do away with the entire cancer subplot and I've heard they have a version which edited out the entire cancer plot.

This means it's just a group of punk kids breaking into Skywalker Ranch to steal a movie to see it before it comes out. Why would I root for these kids to steal the film, if the noble reason for doing it is gone?

I'm all for more jokes and more money to make the film better, but for heaven's sake, please don't edit out the cancer plot. If you take this point away, you get rid of the heart of the film. The entire reason these kids go on this adventure is because they want their friend to see the movie before he succumbs to cancer. I understand cancer kills comedy, but a movie can have a 5 minute recovery period, it's okay! (Apparently some of the actors aren't happy with this either so maybe ask them about it)

Hopefully this version of the film has already been shot down and all these rumors will be for not, but if so I hope fan outpouring can change their minds.

Travis Tidmore

-Link

I, too, am distressed at the reported 'tampering' that is apparently going on with Fanboys. Having seen nearly 45 minutes of said movie in various snippets while at Celebration IV in LA, it seems to me to be an unnecessary change. Having listened to the individuals most directly involved, Kyle Newman and all of the principal cast, speak so warmly, fondly, affectionately concerning their motivations for participating in this production, it aggravates and angers me that an 'outsider', even if it is Apatow, is coming in at the 11th hour and changing the entire direction of this project. I have been looking forward to the release date of this project since last Memorial day, eagerly awaiting what, for me, seemed to be a movie that would speak to my level of interest in the Star Wars universe, as similarly displayed by all of the convention attendees and the makers of this movie. Why the need to change things? I understand most people go to movies for escapist fare, but why the problem with the storyline? The joy and depth of caring the characters display by their desire to do something for their terminally ill friend is a wonderful movitation for the attempt to break into Skywalker Ranch, rather than for some mean-spirited, self-centered reason. I think changing this is a serious mistake and, if I discover that this has actually happened prior to the movie's release, I will not be spending my monies on a ticket. I do not know of Mr. Apatow or the Mssrs. Weinstein keep tabs on blogs such as yours or on internet comments and buzz, but, speaking for myself, any serious changes in the direction or main storyline will cause me to not attend this movie.

-Link

I was also privileged to see footage at Celebration 4 and I was really looking forward to seeing the completed film. The LA audience in May didn't deflate at any point during the screening...Despite the Apatow research. It was lively and fun. The Star Wars connection is the heart of the film but the character's motivation was its soul. I would hate to see Fanboys lose any of that spirit. I hope the producers and studio execs ultimately stick with the directors original vision.

Jimmy Mac
The Force-Cast
The Force.Net/Podcast
 

-Link

With or Without the Meaning?
Posted on Sat, January 19, 2008 by Peter

How would you like to see a film. Would you like the leads to have a motivation for what they do other than doing it for themselves? Would you prefer straight up laughs over a film that has a reason to exist?

Evidently it’s more important to have a film which provides constant laughs than a film where we feel something for the characters. I am referring to the news that the film Star Wars fans have been waiting for, Fanboys, from the Weinstein company, may well be re-edited. Not just something minor but something that will change the film almost entirely. Take out the friend who is dying of cancer.

For those who know the story line that will come as a shock. For those who don’t, the film is based around some Star Wars fanboys who break into Skywalker Ranch to steal The Phantom Menace for their friend who will die before the official release date.

Now, let’s take the re-edit and explain the plot again. Some Star Wars fanboys break into Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of The Phantom menace because they want to see it before everyone else.

The reason for the re-edit is probably because after the whole subject of cancer apparently there is a period of 10 minutes where you won’t laugh. And obviously the whole dying friend thing takes a bit off of the humour off. And obviously audiences can’t stand comedies with a heart…

Apparently the original version will be shown to test audiences along with the re-edit and it shall go from there. However there is a very important audience that may be under-represented in these tests. Star Wars fans. This film is about Star Wars fans, Star Wars fans want to see it, and Star Wars fans are probably the ones that are going to help make this film make money.

Now, without the whole cancer story line it is a comedy about Star Wars fans doing crazy stuff because they’re Star Wars fans. So that’s the cheap laughs at Star Wars fans because they’re obsessed film versus the Star Wars fans doing something for fellow Star Wars fans because they share a love for Star Wars. Which one do you think Star Wars fans will want to see?

Let’s consider the public image of Star Wars fans, then let’s think about the real side of fandom. It’s clear that a major film release would want to play to the main public stereotype because, hey, it’s likely to get them some money. But if they do that they will alienate Star Wars fans. And that is a lot of people to annoy, that is a lot of money that may well not make it to their pockets.

So, if this re-edit goes ahead we will have another film that just wants to make you laugh. If we keep the original copy, we will have a film that many people have already said they love and a film many Star Wars fans will go an see. Let’s hope that the nice people at Weinstein don’t screw this up.

MTFBWY
Peter Taylor

-Link

by missbliss Jan 15th, 2008
05:00:42 AM

I saw fanboys at celebration europe...

... and it was one of the best movies I have seen last year. Removing the cancer plot would be totally pointless, I mean, that is the one thing that moves the plot forward, and that is what makes the movie special. The movie was brilliant, editing it out because some people responded badly will just turn this movie into a formulaic, bland comedy that we have seen way too many times. I have had my run ins with cancer, and I have lost family and friends to cancer, and still the movie made me laugh out loud many, many times.

-Link

Terminally-ill, cancer-stricken friend is the motivation!
by Alice Cooper Stalker Jan 15th, 2008
05:40:27 AM

I'm no insider. Haven't seen the film or anything like that. My general understanding of the film is that it's the friend's cancer that drives them to commit an illegal act like break into Lucasfilm and steal the film. With the sick friend, they are good guys risking a rap sheet for a higher purpose..their friendship with the guys who is dying. Without the cancer angle these are just a bunch of criminals. My ability to rally behind their cause significantly decreases. It's like the Make a Wish foundation without terminally-ill kids. Then it just feels like some bratty kid wants something big like a trip to Disney. What's the motivator? Why should people reach into their pockets, donate money, and believe? They have sympathy becase of the illness. Shauna Robertson needs to get a clue.

-Link

Obi_Wannabe
Date Posted: 2/14 7:43am
Subject: RE: Fanboys

I'm not sure I want to pay theater prices to see a film about crazed fans breaking into Lucasfilm to steal Phantom Menace just because they're "wacky fans".

I'd rather wait for the inevitable Director's Cut DVD Release to watch a film about passionate Star Wars fans who break into Lucasfilm to steal Phantom Menace as a wonderfully touching gesture for their friend dying of cancer.

Just a thought.

Studio please be reading this.

-Link

Respect the fanboys, damn it.
by AdrianVeidt Jan 14th, 2008
04:12:04 PM

Honestly, if you're going to call yourself that, then fucking respect those that you are basing the movie off of - us the fans. We are the ones who made Star Wars what it still is today. We are the ones who make it live on, and always live on, through posters and memorabilia and every ounce of marketing that we embrace as collector's items. We are the ones that could finally have a voice and a representation in a movie named after us. Respect us. Respect us as we desperately cry out for you to keep the soul of this movie intact.

-Link

In addition to being pushed back, there are rumors floating around that there’s a re-edit of film where any mention of ‘cancer’ is being cut out, which completely changes the tone of the movie from a bunch of folks trying to do something nice (albeit illegally) for a dying friend to a bunch of selfish punks who just want to steal a movie for the sake of stealing a movie.

Hollywood masterminds at work, or underhanded campaign to get the internet fans all riled up? Only time will tell.

-Link

Blu // Jan 15, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Wow. I hope that isn’t true. I agree that without the cancer plot, they’re just a bunch of punks trying to break into The Ranch.

They showed footage at San Diego Comic Con in 2006 and 2007. I remember seeing a bit with the illness storyline, and it was really well done. I hope the suits don’t screw this one up. Too bad the creators couldn’t stay indie.

-Link

Mark Newbold // Jan 20, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Agreed, thisa is a film that a lot of fans have been very eager to see for a LONG time, and if this apparent edit has been done, they’ve misjudged the fan base severely.

Sure, the cancer storyline would be a sad one to have to watch play itself out, but that’s life. And Star Wars, for us die-hard fans, certainly understand the ‘real world’ is going on outside, so why do such an edit? What, can’t we handle it or something?

Really hope this is a case of internet folk getting their wires crossed, becaus believe it or not, I’m never ashamed to shed a tear or two if the material deserves it (well, apart from Matrix revolutions, I cried for an entirely different reason over that).

-Link

Fanboys - Linus Must Die!
If you've heard about the movie Fanboys, you might be wondering what's going on with it, seeing how it was promoted as coming out on Jan 18, 2008 for a while. Now, before you go looking for local showtimes, the movie wasn't released on Jan 18.

There is no new release date yet, though the word is that it'll start showing nationwide on US screens in March or April this year. While that is reasonable good news, other things are going on that do not seem to bode well for the movie.

The original storyline was that a group of Star Wars fans travels across country to break into Skywalker Ranch so that one of their own can see Episode I. He has cancer and would not live to see it when it is released in theaters. That's the movie that Ernie Cline and Adam Goldberg wrote and that Kyle Newman shot. However, for some strange reason, The Powers That Be have taken over and reshot a lot of footage to remove the whole cancer storyline from the movie. Now, the whole break-in ploy plays like a whimsical stunt.

Fact is that there were test screenings in the LA area in January and February 2008. Both versions of the movie were shown (to different teenage audiences) to see which version would rate better. And from the looks of it, I'd say there wasn't an overwhelming outcry to go with the cancer storyline rather than the cancer-free one. Which is just very sad.

I have been following the movie for close to two years now. I've been in touch with the director and other people involved. This movie is very dear to me because I believed in it being a refreshing comedy that still had a wonderful emotional core. A movie that would make you laugh and possibly also cry. Now my heart is bleeding at what they're apparently planning to do. And I just can't see the Weinstein's justification for it.

I have also been going to the IMDb Fanboys board of late to see what others thought and if there were reactions from people who had seen the no-cancer plot version (a.k.a. the Corporate Cut of the movie). There were two or three teenagers who posted they really liked it. However, upon engaging them in conversation, they admitted to not even knowing there was another version of the movie before coming to IMDb. Some even thought that the Corporate Cut was the version originally shot and that they were trying to add the cancer storyline to the movie. How backward is that?

One thing that I would like to point out especially is that one person said he enjoyed the Corporate Cut a lot because of all the Star Wars references, being a big Star Wars fan. He actually said you have to be a Star Wars fan to like the movie. But the girl sitting next to him didn't really know Star Wars and didn't get the references, was even appalled at how ridiculous the movie was. In the end her reaction was that she thought the movie was another "Superbad", only with nerdier geeks. Is that really what the Weinsteins want their target audience to think about the movie?

Also, the questionnaire they handed out after the test screenings was very sneaky. The audience was never told that another version of the movie exists. They were also not asked directly whether the viewers would prefer the non-cancer to the cancer version. Instead they were asking the test viewers to pick options of things to be included in the plot, and one of them was to add that one of the characters is dying of cancer. Yeah, how many people would pick that option if they knew nothing about what was really going on, and knew nothing about how the cancer plot would be driving the whole story and the characters' actions? VERY sneaky, Darth Weinstein! If not to say craftily back-stabbing and manipulative.

Someone of the pro-cancer storyline faction on IMDb brought up a very good point. What does the Corporate Cut really have to offer those who aren't die-hard Star Wars fans? I'm short of an answer. Would this be a movie that you can take your girlfriend to and still expect her to enjoy it (unless she's a die-hard fan herself)? Let me guess. She'll, like, think it's totally, like, ridiculous and just another Superbad, only with nerdier geeks. The original version of the movie has something to offer both our regular viewer and the die-hard Star Wars fan. Because if you're not getting all the inside jokes, at least you're having a few giggles and are enjoying a heartfelt story with an emotional core. Can't really say it sounds like the Corporate Cut will offer anything else than maybe a few giggles. But only if you're a Star Wars fan.

Luckily, some fans are more outspoken than others. A group of Star Wars fans to whom the movie is just as dear as it is to me have created a site that'll hopefully help the public protest. Please visit the Stop Darth Weinstein site at http://beam.to/stopdarthweinstein   and join our cause!

But enough whining for today. Let me leave you with something that gave me a tiny bit of hope: Ernest Cline (the original author of Fanboys) has posted his thoughts on the movie and recent developments and some very interesting and entertaining behind-the-scenes stuff in his blog. You can read it here: http://www.ernestcline.com/blog

I really hope the Weinsteins make the smart decision here. May The Force Be With The Original Version Of The Movie!

-Link
 

Dear Rebellion,

I am happy to say that I wholeheartedly join your ranks in the rebellion against the Weinstein Company.  I was one of many many people who saw the 45 minutes worth of clips at Celebration 4 in Los Angeles and FELL IN LOVE WITH IT!!!  I cannot express how completely JEALOUS I was when I heard that Celebration Europe was getting an ENTIRE rough cut!!!

The Movie was great--well rounded characters, an original plot, and a realistic view on a serious subject--cancer.  The jokes ranged from so obvious that anyone could understand them, to very subtle that only "uber-fans" could get.  The characters were portrayed as truly caring for one another, and not letting anything stop them from fulfilling their friend's last wish.  Also, if the cancer plot is removed, does that not in essence remove Carrie Fisher's cameo?  Would this not be a very UNWISE thing to do in a movie that is intended for Star Wars fans?  In fact, the cancer plot is the one that got Kevin Spacey interested in it in the first place--he is one of the producers.  Also it is the cancer storyline that won over George Lucas and gave the Weinstein Company the right to use REGISTERED TRADEMARK sounds, music and other items.  In my humble opinion, the Weinstein company has broken faith not only with the fans, but with very powerful companies and entities.  This could very soon have unfavorable repercussions for the Weinstein company..

  A few weeks ago I saw The Bucket List, which completely destroys the so-called research done about the word "cancer" in a movie.  In the Bucket List, the work "cancer" was said, followed by a joke 15 SECONDS later.  Guess what? THE AUDIENCE LAUGHED!!!  This audience was mostly older adults too, who are more likely to deal with cancer in some way than many other demographic groups.

The Weinstein Company refuses to listen to the very people that sign their checks--us, the movie-going audience.  Star Wars fans are normal everyday people from all walks of life.  We just happen to share a passion for Star Wars.  Removing the cancer plot from Fanboys will turn it into a mindless, unfunny movie that will never earn a penny of my money.  However, the original cut would not only earn my theater dollars (probably multiple times) but my DVD money as well.  If the Weinstein Company insists on releasing a heartless, dumb, and completely anti-fan movie, they will not receive any money from me in any form.  I will not rent, buy, or purchase theater tickets for ANY Weinstein film.  If money is all that they love, then that is what the WON'T receive!

I encourage EVERYONE to send Polite but firm letters (yes snail mail!) to the Weinstein company.  I suggest NOT IDENTIFYING YOURSELF AS A STAR WARS FAN ON THE OUTSIDE ENVELOPE IN ANY WAY!!  If they know what is in the envelope--they will just toss it.  If they do NOT know, they have to at least open the envelope.  While email is a great idea--and I have sent many--paper gets more attention.  Also, if the mail is sent as signature required, it may end up higher in the Weinstein ranks--just some suggestions.

Thanks so much to the technically savvy people that are putting forth so much effort for this and many other sites and blogs on this movie and issue.  May the Force be with us!

Megan S.
 

Hey there... for sure I wanna go out and help boycott this film... Fanboys (the original cut) is such a good movie... I was lucky to see it in Burbank in January - with the cancer subplot. I also was lucky enough to be in the focus group, and i think all but one person said they liked the plot - it really moved the film along, and gave them a reason to steal the movie.  So yeah, I am in LA - so let me know when/where to be and ill be there!
 
G. Dumas

Here's another great review of the Celebration Europe screening on Jedi News.

If you saw the rough cut of Fanboys at a screening in Los Angeles
or at Celebration Europe, please e-mail us your review
and we'll add it to the review page!

 

stopdarthweinstein@yahoo.com