Lucas victor in Ewoks trial

By J.K. Radomski

CALGARY — Film producer Dean Preston lost his appeal Wednesday in Calgary, when the Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed his opposition to an earlier judgment that had given Lucas credit for the creation of the furry Ewok creatures.

Preston originally launched the $100-million suit in 1985, claiming the Ewoks were the main characters in an unsolicited script he sent Lucas in 1978, and that they were used without his permission. In the appeal, Preston’s lawyer, Webster MacDonald, argued that Lucas won the suit in 1990 because Justice Andrew MacKay, who ruled in his favor, was star-struck to have the famous director in his court.

MacDonald also questioned why the Ewoks did not appear in the first two movies of the Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.

“They finally came out of hyperspace and down to Earth. These creatures were obviously from a different planet,” said Justice Patrick Mahoney, adding he had seen all the movies.

MacDonald also tried to introduce new evidence to show that two books written about Lucas’ works reveal admission of theft of material.

But the court refused to hear any new evidence, saying it was too late and would not be conclusive.

The three judges quickly threw out the appeal without hearing remarks from Lucas’ lawyer, Graham Dutton, and ordered Preston to cover the legal costs incurred by Lucas and his company.

“I’m going to take this to the Supreme Court of Canada because this was a travesty of justice. They didn’t want to hear any new evidence,” said Preston. “We knew it wouldn’t go our way in the first 15 minutes. It’s impossible to compete with Hollywood when they come here and argue their case. Everyone gets star-struck.”

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