Intellectual rights would fall to his estate and they can do whatever they want. There is no legalese around that.
Exactly, its like the way Kubricks wife got all his film rights. She respects his wishes and so you don't see thigns like action figures etc.
But if it goes to Lucas's wife or kids, you really think they'll never ever be SW again? I think thats really a stretch. And again, this isn't 2001, these were movies built around products and toys and sequels so Im counting on more once he dies eventually.
I'll see if I can find anything on the net, but trust me... that's the way it is. He's even mentioned it in interviews, and I got it confirmed by McCallum at a DVD junket a few years ago (I'll also see if I can dig up my transcript). If you ever go to a Con and run into someone like Steve Sansweet just ask for yourself.
People like to harp on Lucas for being greedy, and that may or may not be the case. But the one thing he unequivocally has always been about is CONTROL. He's dotted every "I" and crossed every "T" since the late 70's.
But again, its not possible that they just can't sell the rights or w/e you see, once hes dead that will is just his last wishes. His family will own SW so its ultimately up to them. You cant just say, No one gets this thing I created it dies with me. It doesnt work like that. It doesnt just magicly get erased from existance, if you don't leave something you owned to someone, it is either given to your family, or taken by the government.
I can put in my will, when I die, no one can ever live in my house again, but if I leave it to no one it becomes the property of the government, then they can do w/e they want with it. If its left to family, they make the call if they respect my wishes and never live there, or just sell it for cash. But if they do, theres nothing i can do about it because Im dead. I work for a law firm, believe me, all these things you own belong to someone.
What it comes down to is he has limited control, and once hes dead, he has none, no matter what he trys to set up. Whoever he leaves those rights to, no matter what stipulations it comes with, it is, ultimately up to that person or persons if there will be more SW.
