Yes, There's A Real Cerveza Cristal Beer Cut Of Star Wars, And It Upset George Lucas
06-03-2024
Star Wars has invaded every facet of popular culture. Whether it is lightsabers, or the sound effects that are made by blasters (pew pew), "Star Wars" can be found everywhere. Our universe, however, is still pretty different from George Lucas’ galaxy far, away. Sadly, we don't drink blue milk and jizz music isn't the most popular genre of music in the entire world. "Star Wars' galaxy also doesn't use the internet or cellphones.
There is something that all fictional universes can agree upon: the refreshing taste of a cold drink. When you are fighting against the Empire you sometimes need to relax. Some people take to death sticks. Cerveza Cristal is another popular choice.
The latest "Star Wars' online sensation was a series commercials that were aired by Chilean Canal 13 during the early 2000s. The ad agency OMD Santiago planned to place Cristal Beer ads in movies when the first trilogy was broadcast in Chile. It was to prevent awkwardly cutting to ads at random moments for commercial breaks. They spliced beer directly into the movie, creating the appearance of a bizarre product placement.
In an early scene of the movie, Obi-Wan Kenobi talks to Luke about Luke's father. He reaches out for the beer instead of Anakin's light saber to make it seem like Cerveza is a sophisticated weapon. This is the type of advertisement that makes Yogurt cry with happiness from "Spaceballs". Not everyone was pleased.
Brew up a storm with The Force
It was a bold, unique campaign that would never fly overseas. OMD Santiago won an award at Cannes for its "La Fuerza Esta Con Cerveza Cristal", or "The Force Is With Cristal Beer" (via The Guardian). Lucasfilm's lawyers were unhappy with the campaign because it might mislead people into believing that Cerveza is a product of another galaxy.
Lucas' team also filed a complaint at the Chilean Council for Self-Regulation and Advertising Ethics that same year. The council ruled that Lucas was right and banned the advertisement from airing on television.
Cerveza Cristal has returned, much as Emperor Palpatine. Canal 13 and OMD Santiago, despite the decision, decided to launch a new campaign. They expanded their movie rooster and inserted beer advertisements into movies like "Gladiator", "American Beauty" and "Notting Hill". Although the ads are not available online, still images of how beer has been added to the movies can be seen here.
It's funny but not surprising that a franchise so protected as "Star Wars", has such ridiculous commercials. Lucas, after all, was known for his willingness to parody himself. He gave licenses to "Family Guy", "Robot Chicken", and other shows to create spoofs and satires about "Star Wars." Lucas even produced the shelved cartoon, "Star Wars Detours."
Cerveza Cristal is back on the agenda, as fans make fake advertisements for new films, such as this "Dune", parody.