Tom Pollock, the former Universal Pictures chairman who died Aug. 1 at the age of 77, had a shrewd eye for business. Even before he took the reins at the studio in 1986 to embark on a decade-long run, Pollock had established himself as one of the savviest dealmakers in the entertainment industry. As a lawyer, he had negotiated deals for the “Superman,” “Indiana Jones,” and “Star Wars” franchises. In the latter case, Pollock made George Lucas not simply rich, but Midas-level wealthy by giving him the rights to make sequels and profit off of merchandising related to a galaxy far, far away.
“From a studio standpoint, it was one of the major mistakes of all time,” Pollock said in a 1997 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “It essentially took a billion dollars away from the studio and transferred it to George.”
And yet, friends and colleagues say, what really drove Pollock was...
“From a studio standpoint, it was one of the major mistakes of all time,” Pollock said in a 1997 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “It essentially took a billion dollars away from the studio and transferred it to George.”
And yet, friends and colleagues say, what really drove Pollock was...
- 8/4/2020
- by Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
The Cost of Mark Hamill’s Lightsaber From The Empire Strikes Back Even Dwarfs Harrison Ford’s Salary For Star Wars Trilogy
- 5/9/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
“It just looked so cool in the movie: The Star Wars Scene Even Natalie Portman Found “Very disappointing” Despite Calling Blue Screen the ‘Purest form of acting’
- 5/8/2024
- by Santanu Roy
- FandomWire
“To be very honest with you…”: George Lucas Answered the One Question Every Star Wars Fan Needed to Know But Wouldn’t Dare Ask Him
- 5/8/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
Tim Meadows, Jaboukie Young-White, Jamilah Rosemond & Jayson Lee Round Out Cast Of Michel Gondry-Pharrell Williams Musical
- 5/10/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
‘The Bikeriders’ Trailer: New U.K. Teaser Shows Off More Of Jeff Nichols’ Biker Crime Drama Coming In June
- 5/10/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
How The Fall Guy is leading the charge to add an Oscar category for stunts
- 5/10/2024
- by Cindy White
- avclub.com
George Lucas Gives Obi-Wan Kenobi Series His Seal of Approval
- 5/10/2024
- EpicStream
“On a technical level, it can be compared to Star Wars”: George Lucas Firmly Believes 1 Sci-Fi Space Movie Can Never Be Surpassed by Anyone in the Near Future (and It’s Not Interstellar)
- 5/10/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Rocky Balboa | Sylvester Stallone’s director’s cut arriving in July
- 5/10/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
‘Fantastic Four’ Casts Ralph Ineson as Galactus (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Bear’ Season 3 Releases Teaser, Premiere Date
- 5/9/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Pam & Tommy’ Stars Sebastian Stan, Lily James Reteam for ‘Let The Evil Go West’ Horror Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Justin and Hailey Bieber Expecting First Child
- 5/9/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedy Central Announces New Jon Stewart Podcast
- 5/9/2024
- by Nick Riccardo
- LateNighter
Nicholas Galitzine Felt ‘Perhaps Guilt’ for Playing Gay Roles as a Straight Man, Says He’s ‘Terrified’ of Only Being Viewed As a ‘Cut of Beef at a Meat Market’
- 5/9/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki Team On Black Bear Thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tatiana Maslany & Rossif Sutherland To Star In ‘Keeper’, The Next Film From ‘Longlegs’ Director Osgood Perkins; Neon Pre-Buys U.S. Rights & Will Launch Int’l Sales At Cannes
- 5/9/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
MTV Documentary Films Acquires U.S. Rights to Sundance #MeToo Doc ‘Black Box Diaries’ (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety - Film News
Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm to Lead ‘Pike River’ Thriller About New Zealand Mining Disaster, Signature Launching Sales in Cannes (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Sheriff’: Milo Gibson, Mark Dacascos, Tom Berenger & More Cast In Josh Tessier Crime Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki Team On Black Bear Thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Fantastic Four’ Casts John Malkovich
- 5/9/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bravo Sets Date for ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Three-Part Reunion (TV News Roundup)
- 5/9/2024
- by Jack Dunn and Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - TV News
Will FX Move ‘Shogun’ to Drama Series, Upending Several Major Emmy Races?
- 5/9/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety - TV News
‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ Renewed, Officially Moving to Peacock for Season 5
- 5/9/2024
- TV Insider
Kristen Johnston Reunites With Chuck Lorre, Joins Leanne Morgan Netflix Comedy Series
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
‘Lioness’ Renewed for Season 2 at Paramount+
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News