Source: 77-Movie.com | Starlog | FirstShowing.net

Update: I’ve been informed that Starlog.com is the original publisher of this news scoop. Thanks Starlog! You’re awesome!

So most of us Star Wars geeks have now seen Fanboys since its release on DVD on the 10th Anniversary of The Phantom Menace (May 19th). Well, now comes that other Star Wars based movie called “77,” originally titled “5-25-77” – which is the day the original Star Wars film was released.

From the producers of Star Wars and Lost in Translation, and directed by Patrick Read Johnson (Angus; Spaced Invaders), it chronicles the journey of a young sci-fi geek filmmaker alienated in a small rural town in Illinois whose life changes forever when he first sees Star Wars. Unlike Fanboys, it supposedly plays out more like a coming of age drama with some comedic moments throughout. It really is about a filmmaker who has big dreams after seeing the film that changed the way movies were made.

An article about the film at Starlog.com states that this is the autobiographical tale of the director himself. Here’s an excerpt:

For those that aren’t familiar, the short overview is that ’77 is the autobiographical tale of Patrick Read Johnson, a filmmaker from Illinois who may hold the unique title of being the “World’s 1st STAR WARS fan.”

As a teenager, the film-obsessed resident of Wadsworth, Illinois found himself sent on a journey to Hollywood, taken under the wing of Herb Lightman – the editor of American Cinematographer Magazine. The duo found themselves on the sets of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, and a little movie that would come to be known as STAR WARS.

Upon returning to Illinois, Johnson spread the SW Gospel all while trying to plot his own future as a filmmaker.

Johnson condensed the events of his high school years and the trip to the west into one year for ‘77, a coming-of-age film that ties in with the date 5-25-77 – which STAR WARS fans will recognize as the day the film made it’s theatrical debut.

James Zahn, author of the article, also interviews the director.

Everyone who loves Star Wars should want to see this movie. Like Fanboys, it has been shown in limited release at festivals and conventions. Hopefully we’ll see a wider theatrical release for the film soon. Anyone feel like this is The Wonder Years with a Star Wars geek instead of Fred Savage? 🙂

Here is the trailer:

This article is featured on TheForce.net!