MOVIES - Aug. 19, 1988

Speaking of Lucasfilm, another shot has been fired in the long-running land war between the movie studio and Marin County officials and developers. At issue are Lucasfilm’s plans to build a huge production complex near San Rafael. Local resistance to the idea has been stiff for months, and may get stiffer now that it’s been announced that the complex will actually be 60% larger than originally estimated: 550,000 square feet for the 12-building complex of sound stages, studios, offices and an underground garage, rather than the original 350,000 square feet. Marin County Supervisor Robert Roumiguiere said Wednesday the larger figure was “unbelievable.”

And finally, it should be mentioned that Martians are going to land Saturday at Lucasfilm’s present Marin County digs, Skywalker Ranch. But don’t fret. Instead of being under siege, the ranch will be the site of the ultimate radio remake--a rewritten reprise of Orson Welles’ legendary 1938 broadcast of “War of the Worlds.” Lucas associate Randy Tom is producing, with Jason Robards in Welles’ Prof. Pearson role. The new invasion will air Halloween night--as a 50-year tribute to the invasion spoof that scared the wits out of a large part of the country.