George Lucas Reflects on His Legacy and the Evolution of Star Wars at Cannes
In a heartfelt return to the famed Cannes Film Festival, George Lucas, the legendary creator of Star Wars, delighted fans with a candid chat inside a packed Debussy theater. The occasion was grand as the 80-year-old filmmaker was honored with an honorary Palme d’Or for his invaluable contributions to cinema.
Lucas, reminiscing on his adventures, shared nostalgic memories from his early career, including a humorous anecdote about sneaking into the premiere of his first feature, THX-1138, at the Directors’ Fortnight in 1971. Despite financial hurdles, Lucas and his team were driven by a love for filmmaking rather than monetary gain. He also credited his mentor, Francis Ford Coppola, and recounted the roller-coaster journey of turning American Graffiti into a box-office hit, a film that unexpectedly garnered him substantial earnings.
Naturally, the audience eagerly awaited insights into the Star Wars saga. Lucas discussed the unconventional deal he struck for merchandising and sequel rights, which proved revolutionary for the industry. Defending his oft-criticized prequels, Lucas emphasized that Star Wars was always intended as a children’s epic, addressing universal life questions suitable for a younger audience.
Lucas didn’t shy away from expressing his views on the post-Disney era of Star Wars. He suggested that many of the core ideas “sort of got lost” after selling Lucasfilm to Disney, hinting that the intricate understanding of the Force and other concepts lacked depth in the newer films. Nonetheless, Lucas expressed ease with his decision, reinforcing that once something is handed over, it’s natural for changes to occur.
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For more details, check out the original article on **The Hollywood Reporter [here](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/george-lucas-cannes-honor-star-wars-films-1235907998/).**
Image Credit: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
