HOWARD THE DUCK is a 1986 American science fiction comedy film
directed by Willard Huyck and starring Lea Thompson, Jeffrey Jones and
Tim Robbins. Produced by Gloria Katz and written by Huyck and Katz, with
George Lucas as executive producer, the screenplay was originally
intended to be an animated film based on the Marvel comic book of the
same name, but the film adaptation became live action because of a
contractual obligation. Although there had been several TV adaptations
of Marvel characters during the preceding 21 years, this was the first
attempt at a theatrical release since the Captain America serial of
1944.
Lucas proposed adapting the surrealist
comic book following the production of American Graffiti (1973).
Following multiple production difficulties and mixed response to test
screenings,HOWARD THE DUCK was released in theaters on August 1, 1986.
Upon its release, the film received overwhelmingly negative reviews from
critics and was a box office failure, and in later years has been
widely acknowledged as one of the worst films ever made. Contemporary
critics saw the decision to shoot the film in live action instead of as
an animated film and the appearance of Howard as primary obstacles to
its success, while more recent commentators tend to focus on the film's
writing. Despite the criticism, it has gained a cult following among
fans of the comic book series.