'Star Wars' Toy Documentary Launches Exclusively Online
By Todd Spangler
A documentary film covering three decades of Star Wars toy culture, Plastic Galaxy, is now available exclusively for rental and purchase from digital video site Vimeo under a pact with Gravitas Ventures.
The 67-minute film features interviews with former employees of Kenner — the original Star Wars toy licensee — as well as experts, authors, and collectors as it looks at the history of Star Wars action figures and other toys. The film is directed by Brian Stillman, who produced with Karl Tate under their X-Ray Films banner, and is distributed by Gravitas.
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Plastic Galaxy is available from Vimeo for $4.99 for a 24-hour rental or $12.99 to purchase. The film also was released on DVD in January 2014.
The Star Wars franchise is now under the aegis of Disney, which acquired Lucasfilm in October 2012. J.J. Abrams is directing the next theatrical installment, Star Wars: Episode VII, set for Dec. 18, 2015, release. Among other efforts to mint coin from the space opera brand, Disney is launching animated series Star Wars Rebels Oct. 13, promoted by a one-hour film that aired Monday on Disney XD and will hit Disney Channel on Friday. Mouse House has already ordered a second season of Star Wars Rebels.
The Plastic Galaxy pickup is part of Vimeo’s recent efforts to secure exclusive windows for VOD content. Last fall, the IAC-owned vidsite hired Greg Clayman, who previously headed digital initiatives at News Corp and Viacom, as g.m. audience networks to cut deals with content creators.
Photo credit: Plastic Galaxy/Gravitas Ventures
