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In 1969, The Who released their fourth studio album - Tommy. This concept album told the story of Tommy, who was born a few months after his father went missing in the war. A few years later, his father returned to discover that his wife had a new boyfriend. There’s a fight, witnessed by Tommy, in which the boyfriend was killed. His mother told him that he didn’t see or hear anything and not to tell anyone about it – as a result he became deaf, dumb and blind. As a child, he was neglected and abused. However, he also discovered the ability to become a champion pinball player. His parents eventually took him to a doctor, who diagnosed his condition as psychosomatic and told Tommy to “Go to the Mirror”. Tommy spent time staring at the mirror in his house, until his mother broke it. This caused Tommy to regain his senses. Tommy realized that he could become a powerful leader and started a religious cult based upon his experiences.

In 1975, the album was made into a film with a star-studded cast directed by Ken Russell. However, Russell wasn’t the first choice as director. George Lucas was offered the chance to direct the film, but turned it down because he wanted to pursue other projects, such as American Graffiti. He was able to do this thanks to receiving a development grant from United Artists after meeting its president David Picker, who was interested in both American Graffiti and a Space Opera idea that Lucas had.

So, what if Lucas doesn’t get that grant and decides to direct Tommy ? One of the major changes to OTL is that Oliver Reed wouldn’t be cast as Tommy’s mother’s boyfriend, as Reed was cast at Russell’s insistence. This has an influence on the plot of the film. On the album and in the later stage show, Tommy’s father kills his mother’s boyfriend. To give Reed a larger role in the film, this was reversed with the boyfriend killing the father. This change might also result in some-one other than Robert Powell being cast as Tommy’s father. Another change is that the film probably won’t include the scene where Tommy’s mother is cavorting in soap bubbles, baked beans and chocolate, since this was a revenge parody of various adverts that Russell had directed earlier in his career.

With Lucas directing, the film might have more emphasis on Tommy’s life story as an example of the Hero’s Journey. There might also be more emphasis on the mystical powers Tommy demonstrates in his pinball playing.

Other casting decisions could easily be butterflied by having a different director. Elton John was initially reluctant to play the part of the Local Lad (AKA the Pinball Wizard) and even advised Rod Stewart not to take the part. With Lucas directing instead of the better known Russell, Elton John might not be persuaded to change his mind. David Essex could be cast instead – IOTL he recorded a test track for the part.

Other consequences ? Russell’s career probably won’t be changed too much. American Graffiti would be butterflied away in this situation, which means that Lucas might not meet Harrison Ford until later. Does directing Tommy instead make it easier or harder for Lucas to go on to make that Space Opera ?


Cheers,
Nigel.
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