Theatre Owners Sue Lucas and Distributor Over "SWIII"

Owners of the Cine Mar theater chain, based in Costa Mar, California, filed suit today against Lucasfilm, Ltd. and an undisclosed distribution company for distributing copies of "Star Wars: Episode III" to 5 theaters scattered across southern California.

Cine Mar's theaters typically present low-budget exploitation films and pornography. The plaintiffs were expecting a sordid spoof of hacker films called "Sw1ll" ordered months ago from a major distribution company, whose name was kept confidential by the court.

"The order forms are clear. We did not order these prints," said Cine Mar's president, Latrina Hodges. "We received them solely because of the distributor's error." Hodges added that Lucasfilm was named as a co-defendant solely on the basis of its licensing terms, which assess fees regardless of whether prints are shown or returned.

"We can't present these prints and expect to make a profit," said Hodges. "It's not what our audience wants, and the terms are just so far past what we can afford it's incredible." Asked whether they might not appeal to a different audience, Hodges said, "They wouldn't want to see these films in our theaters, and frankly neither would I." She cited spotty sound, sticky floors, and offensive smells as detracting from the theatrical experience, but said these were "not an issue" for the regular audience.