Patrick Read Johnson’s Ode to Star Wars 5-25-77 To Finally Get Released?
It’s been a few years since we first caught wind of Patrick Read Johnson’s semi-autobiographical film 5-25-77, the story of a young sci-fi fan who goes on a quest to see Star Wars when it was originally released on May 25th, 1977. The initial plan was for this movie to come out around the same time that Star Wars: Episode III hit theatres, but that date came and went and still there was no sign of this little film. Just when it looked like the movie might be doomed to remain unfinished forever, we have some good news… it seems that they have finally secured enough funding to bring the project to completion.
The Hollywood Reporter informs us that the Beverly Bridge Fund has ponied up $200,000, and will be prepping the movie for a debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. One small change though: the movie has been renamed to simply 77. (I have to admit, I kept forgetting the actual date, so this is probably a good move.) Personally I’ve been looking forward to this movie; even though the budgetary constraints were painfully obvious, it seemed a lot more genuine to me than something like, say, Fanboys. Plus it stars John Francis Daley of Freaks & Geeks fame. The trailer has been around for a couple years now, but in case you missed it, here it is:
Comments (9)
Whoa! That’s a great post Sean. It’s not often I eagerly await an indie but this takes the cake. It looks way better than Fanboys.
“To other people movies are what they go to when they’re tired of real life, while you go to real life when you are tired of movies.” I don’t believe that was an exact quote of the trailer but godammit that really shot me in the heart. As corny as it sounds, it was if they were talking to me! I’d like to think my current body of work is not centered around emulating effects that I can’t pull off though. I keep it real on my no budget guerrila shorts.
Posted by Ryan on May 24th, 2008Looking forward to this – I was just finishing up Freshman year in high school back then and remember this time well.
Posted by Gerry Kempf on May 26th, 2008The Executive Producer of Patricks 5 25 77
Has over sold this film, there are a lot of un happy people in Canada and America that were promised a return on there original investment and thanks to Stefan Kaleta They will never see it. It would have been a decent film
had it not created so much bad karma for itself.
I think Its time for Patrick Read Johnston to step up to the plate and admit that this film never would have been made with out the initial kick from the small pool of investors that believed in his Script from day one , and sunk there hard earned money into it.
I personally would like to know if Patrick has any plans to Make right the actions of his E.P Stefan Kaleta ? or is it just simply another Hollywood F.U ?
If this is the way Patrick approaches film making its really no wonder why the film has taken so long to get
distribution, even with such Industry greats Fred Roos and Gary Kurtz attached.
Warning, Investing in a Patrick Read Johnston film will make your bum sore.
A disgruntled believer/investor
Posted by Jasmine on June 3rd, 2008Nice Work Stefan
Posted by The Doctor on June 4th, 2008Growing up geek I related to this film. I also found Patrick to be the most down to earth writer/director.
Posted by Faith Legendre on October 29th, 2008Patrick Read Johnson is a con man and I agree with JASMINE. He should be arrested for fleecing investors who believed in him. Eventually they all get caught and Karma comes around. Beware Patrick….. We are watching you,,,,,,
Posted by sally mcdonald on January 31st, 2009Jasmine and Sally. There are no guarantees when you invest in a film. It may come out, it may not. You take your chances. I am an investor also and I am not WHINING and casting blame. Nor am I rich. But for goodness sake, quit your belly aching.
Posted by nancy on February 4th, 2009While some of you may be be disgruntled or in disbelief I have a real life seven degrees of separation from Patrick let me explain. Not only did I go to Warren Highschool but in mid school his (ex)wife was my art teacher, we are friends on face book and he assured me a 2009 theatrical release ( at least limited)
Posted by Mr.Prince on April 2nd, 2009Wasn’t this filmed 3 or 4 years ago? John Francis Daley is now 23 and is playing adult roles. After the mediocre release of Fanboys I don’t know if anyone will be eager to distribute a film like this which was shot several years ago and has “troubled history” written all over it.
Posted by James Van Hise on April 19th, 2009Leave a Reply