OK, I’ve been hinting around at this, and it’s probably been built up way too much, but I think it’s well beyond awesome, so there.
Whatever. I’ve been given the go-ahead, so now it can be told:
I’m going to be in a movie.
Yes, an actual, feature-length, for realz, by-God movie. It’s called The People vs. George Lucas, a documentary directed by Alexandre O. Phillipe.
Now, judging by the title, you might assume that the movie is just a bunch of people getting their hate on for Mr. Lucas, but it’s actually not. According to the website, it’s a "cultural examination of the conflicted dynamic between George Lucas and his fans over the past three decades." You know, some people love him, some hate him, some used to love him but now consider him the Antichrist.
Here’s a trailer:
Alexandre interviewed me for the documentary last year, at WorldCon in Montreal. A brief explanation of how that interview came about may be found here.
Truth be told, I didn’t expect much to come of it. After all, I’m just an unknown writer. I figured my entire interview would likely wind up on the cutting room floor. I mean, if it’s a choice between a minute of me or a minute of Neil Gaiman–hell, that’s a no-brainer. I’d cut me, too. (And yes, Neil Gaiman will be in it.)
Then, two weeks ago, I got an email informing me that I am, in fact, featured in the film. I will be credited as "Matthew S. Rotundo, Science Fiction Author."
Dude. I can’t begin to tell you how awesome that is. It maxes out the Geek-O-Meter.
I have no idea how much screen time I have, or which parts of the interview Alexandre used. I can only hope he left out the bits that made me look stupid . . . but hey, you signs the release form, you takes your chances.
So where do I stand on George? Guess you’ll just have to see the movie to find out.
The People vs. George Lucas will premiere at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, March 12-20. If you’re going to be in the Austin area around then, check it out. I’ll pass along other dates and venues as I get them. With any luck, it might even find its way to my neck of the woods.
If you do happen to see it before I do, please let me know if I look stupid.
On second thought, please don’t.
Anyway, I’m going to be in a movie.
