5-25-77: Freaks and Geeks Meets Star Wars
News about this flick has been spreading like wildfire across the movie blogosphere, and with good reason. It looks like a surefire cult classic aimed specifically at film nerds. “5-27-77″ is named after the release date of the original Star Wars movie, and it’s the story of a somewhat nerdy kid who is on a quest to see Star Wars and tries unsuccessfully to get all his friends excited about it too. Written and directed by Patrick Read Johnson (director of Angus and Spaced Invaders, writer of Dragonheart), it is loosely based on events that actually happened to him. Strangely enough, the movie is being produced by Gary Kurtz, producer of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. 5-25-77 has an interesting cast including John Francis Daley (aka Sam Weir from Freaks And Geeks) in the lead role, Carrie Fischer as his mother, and Christopher Lloyd. Check out a teaser trailer at the link below, or head to the official site for a bunch of screenshots and not much else at this time. Apparently they are working to get 5-25-77 out in theatres around the same time as Episode III, so keep your ear to the ground for more details.
Comments (9)
Weird, judging by the screen shots on the official site you’d think that John Francis Daley was the star yet he’s not in the teaser trailer at all and that “Sherminator” dude from American Pie looks to be the star.
The teaser trailer makes the flick look super low-budge and I mean in a very bad way.
Posted by Nuno on March 21st, 2005I think he is in the teaser trailer, he just looks very different than he did on Freaks & Geeks. He’s grown up a lot. Also, I swear the guy who played Bill on F&G was also in the teaser trailer, but he’s not listed in the credits anywhere. Then again, that Sherminator guy isn’t listed in the credits either but it would make sense that he’s in it since he was also in Angus.
It is definitely a low budget indie flick though, probably trying to ride Napoleon Dynamite’s coattails.
Posted by Sean on March 22nd, 2005I thought I saw Bill in the trailer too! (In the car, looking out the window)
I thought you made a mistake and meant Bill, not Sam. But yes, he’s not in the credits and JF Daley is.
Posted by Alicia on March 22nd, 2005That teaser is the pre-production teaser done for pre-sale purposes back before the film was even cast.
Posted by moonwatcher on March 22nd, 2005If you want to see a post-production teaser concept…
Go to http://www.5-25-77.com/teaser.html
Much better
Patrick Read Johnson himself e-mailed me to clarify that Chris Owen, Sara Tanaka and Carrie Fisher were in this pre-production trailer but will not appear in the actual movie due to scheduling conflicts. Also, the early teaser linked on IGN was shot with a Canon XL-1 and as such, looks very “low budge” but does not represent the look of the final film. The first real official trailer will be ready in about a month. SWEET.
Posted by Sean on March 23rd, 2005Go to http://www.5-25-77.com/teaser.html to see the more up-to-date teaser…
As for trying to ride Napoleon Dynamite’s coat-tails? This film has been in development for over 7 years… And as it’s been in production since last MAY, I still haven’t SEEN Napoleon Dynamite.
Though I’d LIKE to!
Best wishes,
Patrick Read Johnson
Posted by PRJ on March 30th, 2005Writer/Director: 5-25-77
well, this is the second director that we know of to check in after hearing us talking about them… certainly a step up from the Michael Moore Hates America doofus.
Posted by Goon on March 30th, 2005well, this is the second director that we know of to check in after hearing us talking about them… certainly a step up from the Michael Moore Hates America doofus.
Posted by Goon on March 30th, 2005PRJ, i’m going to be looking to you for work in about five weeks when i graduate from film school. Be prepared.
Posted by JAY C. on March 31st, 2005Leave a Reply