Irvin Kershner, Director of Empire Strikes Back, passes

[davos]

Another one bites the dust.

He played a major role in making George Lucas look like a sane & competent person.

[cookinwithgas]

http://www.amazon.com/Making-Star-Wars-Empire-Strikes/dp/0345509617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291053826&sr=8-1

Amazing book.

Kershner had no issue with going up against Lucas when needed. He also had no issues with going over time and budget if he felt it was needed for the movie. This is partially why TESB was the best Star Wars movie, because he really cared about it from an artistic standpoint, and less from an economic standpoint.

Lucas hired Marquand for Jedi, with the express purpose of using him as a hack doormat, and directed the prequels himself - this is why all these movies are as much 2 hour toy commercials as anything else. Kersh did an amazing job but did drive Lucas nuts at times. But it's all those battles and compromises that can make a movie great.

[mmmbeans]

and who could forget robocop 2?

[cookinwithgas]

I did