This 80's SciFi Movie Almost Bankrupted George Lucas

In 1986, George Lucas was riding high after the massive success of Star Wars. He invested over $100 million creating the legendary Skywalker Ranch and pioneering CGI technology. But then along came Howard the Duck - Lucas' big-budget adaptation of the raunchy Marvel comic.

This video explores how Howard the Duck became one of the biggest box office flops of all time. We break down the key reasons why audiences and critics hated it, from the confusing marketing to the deviation from source material.

The failure of Howard the Duck was a huge financial blow to Lucas. He was forced to sell off assets like Pixar just to stay afloat after losing tens of millions on the film. It destroyed the career of director Willard Huyck as well.

This video essay shows how the poorly-executed movie served as a cautionary tale for filmmakers who disrespect the fans and fail to properly adapt properties. The bizarre half-man, half-duck was the start of a difficult chapter for George Lucas - one that he was lucky to eventually bounce back from.

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