Star Wars creator George Lucas has never shied away from expressing his views on how Disney has managed his beloved galactic saga. Recently, Lucas didn’t hold back during an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Taking the stage, Lucas revealed to the crowd, “I was the one who really knew what Star Wars was … who actually knew this world, because there’s a lot to it. The Force, for example, nobody understood the Force.” His pointed remarks have reignited the ongoing debate between original fans and the new direction that Disney has taken.
[https://thatparkplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/George-Lucas.png]George Lucas via AMC+ YouTube
Ever since selling Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012, Lucas has voiced his dissatisfaction with the direction the new trilogy took. Ahead of the release of The Force Awakens in 2015, he notably compared selling his films to “white slavers” in an interview with Charlie Rose. Lucas’ underlying sentiment remained clear—Disney’s vision diverged significantly from his original creation.
Adding fuel to the fire, Disney CEO Bob Iger, in his book “The Ride of a Lifetime,” disclosed that Lucas felt “betrayed” when Disney chose a different path for Star Wars, dismissing the story outlines Lucas had provided for the sequel trilogy. It’s these kinds of revelations that have continuously sparked conversations within the Star Wars community about the series’ true legacy and direction.
[https://thatparkplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JTF-FF-001380-1202×503-a951bdc.jpg]Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) in Lucasfilm’s OBI-WAN KENOBI, exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
Lucas has consistently emphasized that while the new iterations of Star Wars stray from his original philosophy, the initial six movies remain true to his vision. His remarks during an appearance in East Harlem further illustrated his discontent, indicating a loss of control over the franchise’s direction. The creator’s candid thoughts suggest a longing for his foundational ideas to persist.
Looking ahead, Disney’s upcoming series, The Acolyte, and actress Amandla Stenberg’s comments to Empire about exploring different perspectives on the Force, indicate that Lucas’ influence may continue to be a point of contention. Reports of Lucas’ purported return to Star Wars for a new live-action series have fans hopeful for a revival of the original ethos as they know it.
[https://thatparkplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Acolyte.png]Mae (Amandla Stenberg) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
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