George Lucas Opens Up About Selling Lucasfilm and Stepping Away from Star Wars
In a recent interview at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival with French media outlet Brut, George Lucas finally revealed the intricate reasons behind his monumental decision to sell Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 and retire from the helm of the Star Wars universe.
The legendary filmmaker, best known for creating the iconic Star Wars saga, candidly shared his thoughts on the industry’s seismic shift. “We could see the problems with theatrical distribution amid the rise of streaming platforms, particularly Netflix,” Lucas explained. He noticed a “giant transition” on the horizon for the movie industry, seeing streaming services as the future of content consumption.
Lucas admitted he wasn’t certain about what the future held. “Streaming is really powerful, and it’s great, it’s really upped the movie business,” he said. “The theatrical movie business… we could see the problems, and it was not good. So everybody was looking to save it, but nobody knew streaming would.” His foresight into the “giant transition” unfolding in the entertainment sector was a key factor in his decision to step back, sell Lucasfilm, and retire.
Since selling Lucasfilm, Lucas has observed with interest as the Star Wars franchise thrived under Disney’s stewardship, particularly in the streaming realm with the success of series like “The Mandalorian,” “The Clone Wars,” and “Andor.” These series have captivated audiences worldwide and set new standards in storytelling, proving the franchise’s resilience and adaptability.
On the big screen, Disney’s handling of the Star Wars sequels has seen towering successes and contentious debates among fans. “The Force Awakens” grossed over $2 billion, stamping its mark as one of the highest-grossing films ever. Despite fan polarization, “The Last Jedi” garnered significant box-office success and critical acclaim, while “Rogue One” was lauded for its compelling narrative and visual grandeur, earning over $1 billion.
George Lucas’s decision marked the end of an era but ushered in a new one where Star Wars continues to evolve and enchant audiences across diverse platforms. What are your thoughts on Lucas’s decision and the current state of the Star Wars saga? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!
(Original article source: Brut. Full credit to the original author, Frank Yemi, and CBR.com for the detailed report.)
