Tag: George Lucas

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In a new rumor George Lucas is taking back creative control of Star Wars

The Sequel Star Wars Trilogy was supposed to reignite the Star Wars fans base. In the end, the highly anticipated set of films divided and angered fans. In a recent interview Sequel Trilogy director JJ Abrams said he should have had a direction for the Trilogy. Star Wars creator, George Lucas also chimed in that he expected to have more say in the films.

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – OCTOBER 15: Director George Lucas (R) and Darth Vader onstage during Spike TV’s “Scream 2011” at Universal Studios on October 15, 2011 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

George Lucas is said to have been upset with the way original Star Wars characters, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia were handled by Disney in the Sequel Trilogy. Lucas was also upset at the lack of direction the films had.

In what came as somewhat of a surprise, George Lucas said that he had actually began to write a Star Wars Sequel Trilogy in which Princess Leia was “the chosen one” and Darth Maul’s apprentice Darth Talon was the main villain.

Fans began to wonder if Lucas was indeed returning to Star Wars when he showed up on the set of the smash hit “The Mandalorian.” Lucas also has a writing credit on “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” upcoming prequel streaming show “Andor.”

Now there is strong rumor that Lucas himself is fronting money for a new Star Wars Trilogy. If this rumor is in fact more than a rumor that means Lucas is taking creative control away from current Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. When he sold Lucasfilm to Disney, there was a clause that he could return to Star Wars if he wanted to. It now appears he does.

It is just a rumor at this time, yet it has teeth. Neither Lucasfilm or The Disney Company have confirmed or denied the rumor. While there is no known story development for George Lucas’s rumored new Star Wars Trilogy it has been confirmed he was writing one. Given how Disney mishandled legendary characters, Lucas may have to go a different route if his plan included one of them.

Actors dressed as Star Wars characters pose for the media during the opening ceremony for Lucasfilm Ltd.’s Sandcrawler building, home to Lucasfilm’s Singapore unit, in Singapore, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. Lucasfilm Singapore, which is working on movies including Transformers 4 and Avengers 2, is expanding as it increases its workforce in the city-state, the only location outside the U.S. where the San Francisco-based company has a regional headquarters, it said. Photographer: Nicky Loh/Bloomberg via Getty Images

This would be a good move by George Lucas if he is taking control back. It would be wise of Disney/Lucasfilm to give him more control.

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Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says Disney is taking a step back to look at what George Lucas created

BEVERLY HILLS, CA- JUNE 12: Producer Kathleen Kennedy and producer/director George Lucas attend Women In Film’s 2013 Crystal + Lucy Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 12, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.(Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

This is not a bash the sequel trilogy free- for- all article. After all, Star Wars  fans know all to well the disappointment since Disney first released “The Force Awakens.” No bashing, that is because Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said Disney, is taking a step back to review what George Lucas created.

Kathleen Kennedy said she and her team were taking a  “step back and really absorb what George [Lucas] created” Star Wars to be in the first place. I know I for one am happy that these steps are being taken. No more rushing through just to produce films that fans rail against.

It is known that Disney/Lucasfilm do have many Star Wars films in the works. The film company and it’s owner had a rude awakening to audience reception when “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was released in 2019.

Die-hard Star Wars fans demanded that the sequel trilogy be decanonise and wanted George Lucas to take over and right the wrong. Social media users used #notmystarwars to let others know exactly what they thought. Many including myself believed Disney was making a total mess out of the beloved movie franchise.

Previously, Kathleen Kennedy hinted the next wave of films very well could center around The Knights of the Old Republic. That was satisfying for many fans. What should be even better received is that Disney/Lucasfilm and the people who run it are now willing to take the humble road.

They have listened to the fans, they had no choice Star Wars fans are very vocal. For any new Star Wars film going forward, a look back is a good step. The sequels did not work. Disney +’s The Mandalorian did work. It worked because the shows creator and slew of directors grew up with Star Wars and had a firm understanding of just how it worked.

Now it seems, steps are being taken to bring the franchise back to life instead of fans seeing a Force ghost.

 

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George Lucas was asked to fix “Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker”

OEmbed from Getty Images *This comes from very good sources,* Early screen tests for “Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker” were disastrous. So disastrous in fact that Lucasfilm brought back the one person who could right the ship. Star Wars creator, George Lucas.

With Disney CEO Bob Iger, in attendance director J.J. Abrams tested the final story in the Skywalker saga. The audience was made up of hard-core Star Wars fans, casual Star Wars fans as well as general movie fans who were simply only aware of Star Wars.

The audience was asked to rank/grade the film. The J.J. Abrams/ Kathleen Kennedy ‘Rise of Skywalker” cut had the lowest score 29. The audience sighted a “very lackluster” third act that hurt the film. In other words a flop.

It is said the biggest issue with that version was Rey destroyed Emperor Palpatine in “OP fashion,” causing the film viewers to bust out into laughter. That is said to have enraged Iger, who demanded reshoots.

Iger went to Abrams and specifically told him him to bring Anakin and Luke Skywalker ‘in the flesh.” Following the modifications Iger asked for the film was re-tested. The results were better not great. The audience ranked/graded Iger’s “Rise of Skywalker” 65. In other words good not great, which would have irritated and already on edge fan base.

It was right after the screening Iger made the call to bring in the one person who’s vision is being presented, George Lucas himself! This is where it get’s interesting. Lucas watched both versions. He then went to the editing room. He used both Abrams and Iger’s films and crafted them together.

George Lucas also asked for “certain reshoots.” Abrams agreed. “The Rise of Skywalker” was then tested for a third time to the same audience demographic. This time the J.J. Abrams/ Kathleen Kennedy/ Bob Iger/ George Lucas Star Wars film scored and 88.

In movies anything over 82 is considered a hit movie. There is a bit of irony in all of this. George Lucas who created one of the most successful movie franchises of all-time. Who directed  some of the films, was brought in to fix the last one. Well in terms of the Skywalker portion of Star Wars anyways.