When it was first announced that Disney was purchasing LucasFilm and a new batch of Star Wars films were being produced, one of the first questions on everyone’s mind was “how is George Lucas going to ruin these movies too?” A large amount of uneasiness was put to rest when Lucas made clear that he was essentially handing the keys of the franchise over to new LucasFilm head Kathleen Kennedy and he’d only be involved with the new films in a “consultant” role.
We know that the upcoming trilogy is based on story treatments and characters that Lucas himself drummed up, but many wondered just how involved Lucas would be with episodes VII, VIII, and IX as a so-called consultant. Would he be looking over the shoulder of the new director every day of production? Is he expecting the new screenwriters to strictly follow his own story beats and characters? Now Lucas himself has come forward to clarify just how involved he’ll be, and it’s fairly encouraging stuff. Hit the jump for more, including Lucas’ thoughts on the possibility of Steven Spielberg directing one of the new films.
Speaking with Access Hollywood, Lucas explained what his involvement with the new Star Wars films will be:
“[If the filmmakers ask],‘Who’s this guy?’ I can tell them. I mean, they have a hundred encyclopedias and things, but I actually know a lot. I can say, ‘This is this and this is that.’ Basically I’m not — I don’t really have much to do.”
So according to Lucas, his role on the new Star Wars will be “Living Character Guide.” Michael Arndt is busy writing the screenplay for Episode VII, and I sincerely hope he’s being given the creative freedom to stray from Lucas’ treatments when he sees fit. In the series of video discussions between Lucas and Kennedy that have been released since that first announcement, Lucas really does seem to be okay with letting the series go. Though fans have been burned by Lucas plenty of times before, I think the franchise is in safe hands with Kennedy leading the charge.
The producer also took a moment to address those rumors that Lucas’ buddy Steven Spielberg was being considered to take the helm of the new Star Wars film. Spielberg himself has already flat-out denied having any interest in directing the pic, and Lucas reiterates that point:
“I’m pretty sure he’d never want to do that!” he laughed. “I don’t think he’d want to.”
As for who will be directing Episode VII, the rumor mill kicked up again late last week by adding that David Fincher and Jon Favreau are also a part of the conversation. With the film expected to hit theaters in 2015, I imagine we’ll hear solid word on the director front fairly soon.
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Star Wars fans everywhere just made this sound:
“PPPHHHHHEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW…”
I have to add more:
“PPPHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!…”
Vader! Rise!
YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
Yeah, I hate this stupid method of reporting anything Star Wars these days…hmm, lets start out by talking AGAIN about how everyone supposedly sits around and asks themselves how Lucas might “ruin” the next trilogy, then lets constantly reference this as we continue to write the article. YAWN!! I’m sick of the never ending disrespect given to Lucas, along with the veiled sarcasm found in almost every Star Wars related article, and the insinuations that his contributions to future Star Wars would be unwanted. Regardless of how you feel about the prequels, these types of comments are idiotic and unnecessary.
As much as George the Tyrant King can ruin the films when his imagination is left to drift unopposed, I’m a hardnosed canonist. He has to be involved in some decisive way–to say this is this, or this is not this–or else these movies won’t so much be a continuation of the OT as they will be glorified Expanded Universe. And god knows! how many concepts are botched in the EU, by other writers. So I’m very glad he’s hanging on as a consultant. He’s the only one I’d trust with his MYTHOLOGY–if not character, script, direction, etc. etc.
Taking the ‘consultant’ job is a way for George to stay on the payroll, that’s the only reason for it. He cut himself a nice deal.
Taking the ‘consultant’ job is a way for George to stay on the payroll, that\’s the only reason for it. He cut himself a nice deal.
Instant – George doesn’t need anymore money – seriously, the guys a billionaire. Even he has said so.
i still love Lucas. he created star wars, he doesn’t owe anything to fans. i love how fans have this huge pent up anger against him like he personally ruined all their lives.
i hope this isn’t just a “front” for saying he’s still part of it, even when he’s not. on the positive side, it’ll give him more time to focus on his personal projects and experimenting that he’s always wanted to do.
I second this; reason and common sense on the ‘net… who woulda thunk it!? George Lucas has given all of us many countless hours of entertainment value and pioneered groundbreaking technology that has made cinema better, he owes us nothing. Granted, he deserves legitimate criticism for not releasing remastered and anamorphic presentations of the OT’s theatrical versions, for constant needless tinkering with said OT when he should have got it right with the initial 1997 ‘special edition’ releases, and for not hiring outside screenwriters/editors to work on the entire prequel trilogy, but apart from those things – which are just my personal opinions – I’m cool with Mr Lucas, happy retirement George, you earned it…
As long as he doesn’t write the screenplays, that’s all that matters.
George Lucas. Not much to do?
Thank God.
please give him a job that keeps him as far from the script as possible….
Lucas was completely overrated. He got lucky with Star Wars. He didn’t direct Empire. Can you say Ewoks? I don’t even want mention the travesty of a trilogy that he created. Thank God he’s not involved in these last 3 movies.
Yes completely overrated… I mean seriously besides helping create, ILM, Pixar, THX, and Indiana Jones he hasn’t really done much at all
Yess! Now that Star Wars is somewhat off his plate, he can focus all his energies on the next Indiana Jones. C’mon George, you guys aren’t getting any younger :p
ANYONE INVOLVED WITH STAR WARS WILL BE SUED FOR STEALING MY WORK!!! YOU WILL PAY IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT!!!
Lucas’s vision is essential for Star Wars. The background story he set that revolves around the characters is awesome.
sorry error