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Filmmaker George Lucas is best known for his association with theStar Warsfranchise, which he first launched with the 1977 original. After crafting the original and sequel trilogy movies, Lucas later handed the reins to the space opera saga to Disney, selling Lucasfilm and the rights toStar Warsto the media conglomerate.
In 2024, Lucas was honored at the Cannes Film Festival, where the filmmaker reflected on the franchise’s progress in his absence. Lucas had a blunt response to the downturn in the franchise’s fortunes under Disney. At the same time, the filmmaker also seemed disappointed with Disney rejecting some of his ideas for futureStar Warsinstallments. Here is what Lucas had to say about Disney’sStar Wars.
George Lucas Reacts to Disney Sinking HisStar WarsIdeas After Purchasing Lucasfilm
George Lucaswas awarded an honorary Palm d’Or award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for his contribution to cinema. Lucas is the mind behind hit franchises such asStar WarsandIndiana Jones, both of which earned billions of dollars at the box office.
At the festival, Lucas was asked about selling his company, Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 andthe lackluster reception to most of theStar Warsprojectsproduced under the House of the Mouse. Lucas stated that the new folks in charge of the franchise made several missteps, primarily because they did not understand the essence ofStar Wars.
The Force, for example, nobody understood the Force. When they started other ones after I sold the company, a lot of the ideas that were in [the original] sort of got lost. But that’s the way it is. You give it up, you give it up.
Lucas made the above statement (viaThe Hollywood Reporter) highlighting how some of his original ideas and themes that had fueled the franchise to global recognition were lost under the new regime.
George Lucas: “Everybody got really mad” With What Lucasfilm Agreed to Do With the First Star Wars Movie
Ultimately, Lucas seemed to be critical of the Disney leadership’s treatment of the franchise and was vocal in pointing out that those in charge did not have a fundamental understanding of the IP. Nonetheless, since he had handed over the reins, Lucas did not feel compelled to help Disney in the course correction of the franchise.
George Lucas Dismisses the Possibility of Releasing Theatrical Cuts of OriginalStar WarsTrilogy
During the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Lucas defended the changes he made to the original trilogy for the Special Edition re-releases, which are the more commonly available cuts of the movies. The filmmaker dismissed the possibility of ever releasing 4K restorations of the theatrical cuts of the original trilogy. He said:
I’m a firm believer that the director, or the writer, or the filmmaker should have a right to have his movie be the way he wants it.
Lucas’ words strongly suggest that he is against the theatrical cuts being digitally restored and made available for the public.
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Lucas implied that his artistic vision as the creator of the original trilogy was better represented in the Special Editions. Therefore, he had every right to make the necessary changes he did to the original cuts. Althoughfans have made efforts to create 4K restorations of the theatrical cuts, the idea does not seem to appeal to Lucas.
TheStar Warsmovies and spin-off shows are streaming on Disney+.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1774
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
