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George Lucas, sir. I was wondering why didn't we see Obi-Wan getting trained near the end of the Star Wars Episode 3 movie when Yoda said he had training for Obi-Wan because of his old master, Qui-Gon Jinn, learning immortality?
George Lucas: I thought about having the Force ghost of Qui-Gon at the end of Revenge of the Sith, but it ultimately didn't work out because paying Liam Neeson over $ 1 million U.S. dollars for 30 seconds of film footage is not something I'm willing to do. I know this disappoints many of the most ardent fans, but you don't really need to see Qui-Gon or Yoda teach Obi-Wan how to become one with the Force and appear as a Force ghost after death.
Hey George, just want to say thank you for all the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films you have made and I got a few questions for you. Everyone always asks questions about your movies, but I have a few questions about you. First, if you did not go into movies, what would you have done for a living? Did you have any other passions besides film making?
Second, what has been the most satisfying part of your career as a film maker? Lastly, are the USC Trojans going to continually get the shaft in the BCS football championship when they don't have a perfect record? Thanks.
George Lucas: My primary passion growing up was race car driving. However, it was too expensive to chase as a career and I nearly got killed in an automobile accident so it never really happened. If I hadn't gotten involved with the film industry, I probably would have been an anthropologist.
The most rewarding aspect of my film career was the unexpected success of American Graffiti. It was filmed on practically no budget and it made the equivalent of over $ 450 million U.S. dollars in North America in 2008 dollars. It made me a multi millionaire and made my life very, very easy.
American Graffiti was dollar for dollar the most profitable film in Hollywood at the time. That still boggles my mind to this day. My good luck has been something I've never really figured out. Life always seems to work out in my favor.
The PAC 10 is an extremely weak NCAA football league. We're expected to go undefeated each year in order to qualify for the national title game because many of the teams we play in our conference would struggle against high school football powers.
The football athletes on teams like Washington, Oregon and Arizona can't make our roster. We didn't even recruit them when they were leaving high school. None of them could make our fourth string of players. Since we've got every team we face severely dominated at every position, we're expected to defeat everyone 50 points to zero points.
We haven't been able to win a NCAA football national title since Coach Pete Carroll unfairly dismissed Coach Norm Chow. We're faced with the reality that we will never again win a national title as long as Coach Carroll remains the head coach of my Southern California Trojans.
It would be nice if Coach Carroll would leave for the NFL, but he's already been a complete failure in the NFL and fully realizes he doesn't have what it takes to win at a higher level. If Coach Carroll can't over power very, very weak opponents after getting the # 1 nationally ranked high school player football recruiting classes for 5 consecutive years, then there is no hope at all that Coach Carroll can win without Coach Chow.
Mr. Lucas, if you don't mind me asking, why do you think The Dark Knight sold so well? It targeted an adult audience, which is what the paying fans want for the new Star Wars movie trilogy. Why would you say you're not producing the new Star Wars movie trilogy at such a long extended period and choosing it to mainly appeal to children?
George Lucas: You can't explain why some films are massive box offices hits while other deserving films make absolutely no money in theaters. Yet I believe you can judge the quality of films by the amounts of profits they generate at the box office and in the home market. I'm not saying this just because the Star Wars films all rank as the most successful film franchise in history. That's a coincidence.
Back to your question, I believe the grisly fate of actor Heath Ledger greatly inflated the public interest in The Dark Knight. If you examine the theatrical earnings of the previous Batman film called Batman Begins, it made a little over $ 200 million U.S. dollars in cinemas in North America. There is no logical reason why The Dark Knight was expected to surpass these numbers.
There was not a single person who predicted The Dark Knight was a lock for over $ 500 million U.S. dollars domestically and nearly $ 1 billion U.S. dollars in total worldwide in multiplexes. We have to embrace the fact we have a highly negative and dour society that revels in the unfortunate situations of others. The audience wanted to see the final acting performance from Heath Ledger.
It gave them a thrill to see a promising actor in his last moments alive. This is embarrassing for me personally because I'm deeply religious and believe we shouldn't enjoy the misery suffered by others. Civilization keeps getting more gloomy, immoral and corrupt. Nothing will change this descent into the abyss.
George Lucas, I wanted to thank you for bringing us the best show on TV called the Star Wars "The Clone Wars series." I never miss an episode! I love that TV series introduces and explores new characters besides the main characters from the Star Wars movies. I also enjoy the stories and life you bring to the clone troopers. I do hope the TV series continues in this direction and gives life to characters we only wondered about from the movies. Thanks for your time!
George Lucas: The Star Wars films can only focus on the main characters because the films have a short duration. For a TV series, you have in our case 22 episodes each season lasting about 22 minutes without commercial advertisements. This gives me the opportunity to better develop the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker.
However, this expanded time frame also gives me the ability to explore secondary characters, who are largely ignored in the Star Wars films. You get to see other parts of the galaxy that I find to be fascinating. This is going to be true for the live action Star Wars TV show also. I'm finally going to be able to explore stories and adventures, which I didn't have time for in the Star Wars films.
The Indiana Jones 5 overview seems great! When is it coming out? I know you are writing for the Star Wars TV show, but about how long? 3 years? 5 years? 8 years?
George Lucas: Many of you find this difficult to understand because you have such unpleasant lives, but I'm in a position where I can do what I want. The fans and the critics can't make me do anything. If I want to wait and wait 16 years after Return of the Jedi and 19 years after Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade to continue Star Wars and Indiana Jones respectively, then that's what happens.
The whole point in being financially independent is that I get to do what I want to do in life. If I want to spend most of my time with my children and girlfriends, then that's what happens. I'm not obsessed with Star Wars like the fans of SuperShadow.com are.
I've been in the Star Wars galaxy for over 30 years. Everywhere I go I have people constantly making Star Wars references to me. Some times I think my name is Mr. Star Wars. Even when I spoke before the U.S. Congress, each politician had to give me some kind of Star Wars story or idiom. It gets irritating after a while, but I guess it's a small price to pay for my perfect and idyllic life.
If I never get around to making Indiana Jones 5, I don't really care. The constant bombardment from the fandom asking for new Indiana Jones and Star Wars films is not going to speed up the process. I'm the most stubborn person you could ever imagine and I'm in the fortunate position of answering to no one. Indiana Jones 5 may not happen until I'm 90 years old.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The reason why Star Wars worked back in 1977 is simple. You told a great story, had spectacular special effects, had wonderful actors and there was nothing to really compare it to.
The Star Wars prequels storyline is basically the same, but at a faster pace. Well, the world is a whole lot faster so it fits in nicely. As a 51 year old fan, I can appreciate the time and effort you have put in to your career and your vision. Thank you for sharing it with us!
George Lucas: I've always considered my success as a film maker to be a huge run of good fortune, which happened completely by accident. I didn't plan to make films that would attract massive audiences. It just so happens my film ideas strike red hot with most of the audience members.
It's fans like you who make my sacrifice worth the effort. I've given up a lot over the past 30 years. Star Wars ended my first and only marriage to Marcia. That was the worst moment I've yet experienced. However, I now have the perfect life with my children and my girlfriends. I hope you can all enjoy happiness similar to what I have.
Dear Mr. Lucas, I am a huge fan of yours and of all of everything that you have ever done. I was just wondering if you believe in God? Merry Christmas, George!
George Lucas: Yes, I believe in God. In fact, I'm a hyper devout Christian. I'm what you would consider to be overly religious. Yet I don't believe in giving money to my church or to any Christian organizations because God doesn't need my wealth. He can create as many Universes as He needs to get what He wants.
He doesn't need to take what little I have for Humanly pursuits. Most charitable contributions are wasted by those who receive them. I started the George Lucas Educational Foundation so that I can contribute positively to society in philanthropic ways. I don't have to prove how pious I am by giving away all my riches.
Hey, just an observation. Sometimes the responses to the questions have nothing to do with the questions asked. Sometimes they are compliments and you take them as criticism. Please read them more carefully.
George Lucas: Every week I read thousands of comments submitted by the fans at SuperShadow.com. A few of these are highly critical of some of my decisions involving the Star Wars prequel trilogy. SS.com gives me the ability to speak freely and without hesitation to what I say. I'm willing to tell you exactly what's on my mind.
No other film maker does this for the fandom. I owe it to the fans not to hold back my true opinions. If you don't approve of my responses to the fans' inquiries, then you don't have to read them, but you don't have the right to hinder my free speech rights.
May the Force be with you, Mr. Lucas. I'm looking forward to the new Star Wars sequel trilogy.
George Lucas: I'm thankful that I won't have to begin work on Star Wars Episode 7 for at least another decade. Working on the Star Wars film trilogies really burns me out. I need a lengthy vacation in between Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode 7. Right now, my full creative efforts are invested in the Star War TV series.
George, what is the difference between a Sith and a Dark Jedi?
George Lucas: The Sith Lords are a malevolent religious group, which follows and worships the ways of the dark side. The Sith are highly organized and have many rules and customs they each have to follow. In contrast, the Dark Jedi are not religiously based.
The Dark Jedi aren't very well organized and they have no coherent beliefs. Any evil Force user can be a Dark Jedi, but you can be a Sith only if the current Sith Master asks you to become his or her Sith apprentice. Those are the basic differences although it's more involved than what I can explain briefly.
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Merry Christmas, George Lucas. I hope you're having very happy Holidays. Hey, I had this crazy idea of a holiday that celebrates the anniversary, popularity and history of the Star Wars saga. The name of this holiday, I think, should be a mixture of both the words "Star Wars" and "Holidays." "STAR WARDAYS!" Hahaha! I know you may think I'm crazy and weird. But I just think that would make a great holiday. Give me your honest opinion, please.
George Lucas: I've always resisted the over commercialization of Star Wars. You might think my greed related to the Star Wars merchandising has no limits, but we do show restraint. Perhaps in several hundred years, the theatrical debut of A New Hope will be celebrated as a holiday, not just in the United States but around the whole world.
I don't think that will happen because most people have no interest in Star Wars. There are few individuals who have an obsession with Star Wars. While hundreds of millions of fans have watched the Star Wars films in theaters and on DVD, only 300 thousand or so visit SuperShadow.com daily. You can see that most people keep Star Wars in perspective and don't make it the basis for their entire life. Some of you need to relax and not take Star Wars seriously. In the end, it's just a film.
Mr. Lucas. I've watched the behind the scenes DVD on the making of the original Star Wars trilogy. Setting the story aside, it is amazing that you were able to break all the film production barriers that were prevalent in the movie industry. When I was a 9 year old boy enchanted with C-3PO and R2-D2, I never could have imagined such a revolution.
You engineered the visual aspects of motion pictures in a completely new way. No one on the sets or behind the scenes could imagine what you were accomplishing. I couldn't believe the doubt and skepticism you had to deal with. As John Williams is a musical genius, you are a visual genius. You brought our culture the classic mythological struggles to a new modern visual/audio stage.
Setting aside Star Wars, you deserve such a pat on the back for raising the level of movie production quality. You are indeed our Shakespeare. I am humbled by your accomplishments. How do you stay humble? And two, do you experience every phase in life so astutely visual?
George Lucas: In all honesty in early 1977, I thought Star Wars was a disaster. I was convinced it was going to ruin and abruptly end my film directing career. There was not a single person, including myself, who thought Star Wars was going to change the way Hollywood makes its films. I was stunned back then and today I remain shocked that people care so much about Star Wars.
You may believe I'm a real time visionary, but the success of Star Wars was a complete surprise. In hindsight, it seems to all be shrewdly planned because I negotiated for ownership over Star Wars instead of a massive salary from 20th Century Fox. The main reason I wanted control over Star Wars is because I felt the film studios destroyed my first two films: THX-1138 and American Graffiti.
I was not going to allow it to happen a third time. I thought if I'm going to fail it's going to be because of my own lack of vision and imagination and not because of film studio interference. It worked out well for me both financially and creatively. Without Star Wars, there would be no SuperShadow. I can't imagine life without Shadow. We take him for granted, but he is a blessing we certainly don't deserve.
Is there going to be an Indiana Jones 5 & 6?!
George Lucas: I can't see the future because I don't have access to a time machine. This means I don't know what's going to happen. I have a basic story outline for Indiana Jones 5 and 6, but that doesn't mean they will become full length films.
Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford have extremely busy schedules and they would like to pursue new ideas for the foreseeable future. We might be prepared to have a screen writer pen the script for Indiana Jones 5 around 2012. It won't be soon because we're so busy with other film and TV projects.
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Hey George, how was your Christmas? Mine was good. I sent an idea on August 18th 2007. And I just started thinking about it again. And it was talking about how Luke Skywalker has the power to activate (no other Jedi known can) the 5 bladed light saber. Now extended idea to that. Mace Windu had the power ever since he and Anakin Skywalker looked each other straight in the eyes during the Revenge of the Sith movie. (It was a bond that Anakin realized after a while).
But for Mace to activate it would do no use because Mace still is injured from the fall from Palpatine's office window. And finally the Sith find out that Mace has the secret and can easily be fought since Mace isn't at full strength yet. They find his location and Mace has two choices. Activate the light saber and try to fight the Sith off. Or try to come out of hiding and tell Luke Skywalker that Mace has this power, but Mace can't get killed otherwise it will take even longer for Luke to find Luke has this power.
The only other Jedi that can tell Luke of this is his father Anakin, but Luke has to figure half of it out before Luke and his father can be bonded by the Force for just long enough for Anakin to tell his son of this and it still won't be in detail as the bond of the Jedi and the Sith will be hard enough to accomplish so Luke will have to figure it out.
Can you tell me if you like this idea? If you do, I'll keep working on it. Thanks. Also if you don't like an idea of something in this just let me know. My name is *** **** so you will be able to know when I add a comment. My e-mail is *****@***.com and phone number is (phone number omitted). So if you can't get this on the SS web site, please let me know what you think someway.
George Lucas: The Christmas season is always spectacular for me because I'm in the enviable position of being able to afford whatever I want for my children, girl friends and myself. I was in the local exotic foreign car dealership in early December when I saw the new 2009 Lamborghini model. It was extremely expensive and much more than I was willing to pay.
I got the price down to a reasonable amount and made the purchase. This is one of the aspects that makes Star Wars so valuable to me. Without Star Wars, I couldn't capture my dreams and live the perfect life. Being able to buy something, which is very, very costly, is not taken for granted by me. I remember when I was attending the film school at the University of Southern California my car was an actual piece of junk. It was literally worth less than $ 200 U.S. dollars.
I couldn't have imagined back then that 40 years later I would be able to afford any automobile manufactured in the world. I have to pinch myself all day long to make sure this is all real. Life is too good to be true. It keeps getting better and better.
Thanks to the fans and especially to SuperShadow, I have a life that is something I can't even fully grasp. Nobody can possibly be as lucky as me. Happy New Year to my beloved fans. You are appreciated by me in ways I can't describe. The next 30 years of my life are going to be even better although that is difficult to imagine.
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Mr. George Lucas, I understand that it's tradition for you to wait 16 years between Star Wars movie trilogies, but why wait besides money as the important factor? There is no other reason to wait. You're never guaranteed tomorrow and that's for everyone. No one knows when this Earth will end. I, in fact, as a huge Star Wars fan want to see the future Star Wars films as soon as possible.
I don't want to wait until 2021. That's what I think. I was wondering if I can audition for either Ben Skywalker or Anakin Solo in the future Star Wars trilogy (Star Wars Episodes 7 - 9). I am a big Star Wars fan and I do practice with swords such as toy light sabers and actual swords. It might change now and then, but I do have a gift of wielding a sword.
Why is Star Wars so confusing? I love Star Wars, but it always makes me think. Example. The ending of the Return of the Jedi movie with the Jedi spirits of Yoda, Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker. Why does Anakin's face look like what it does in the Revenge of the Sith movie? Weren't Star Wars Episodes 4 - 6 made before Star Wars Episodes 1 - 3?
So it would mean that nobody really knows how Anakin really looks like? Why did you make Yoda clueless in the Star Wars Episodes 1 - 3 movies? When I say clueless, I mean if Yoda is the powerful Jedi there is meaning would Yoda know that Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith Lord as Darth Sidious? I wish you weren't so secretive about Star Wars background info. Anyways, I think Star Wars is amazing and please answer this comment back.
George Lucas: To understand why I wait 16 years before working on additional Star Wars film trilogies, you need to understand how much of my life each film trilogy consumes. From 1973 to 1983, I spent literally every day working on Star Wars. That's ten years of my life gone. Then from 1995 to 2005, I had most of my time devoured by the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Another ten solid years evaporated into the ether. Thus far, I've dedicated 20 years of my life to creating Star Wars film trilogies. The fans don't have to do this because you can watch the entire 6 Star Wars film episodes in about 14 hours. You don't spend your entire life making Star Wars a reality. Also, working on the Star Wars TV shows takes a good deal of time.
I don't have to spend the entire day working on Star Wars anymore, but that would change if I began working on Star Wars Episode 7. There is no chance that production will begin on Star Wars Episode 7 immediately. It'll be another 10 years before I even consider producing the next Star Wars film trilogy.
When we begin working on Star Wars Episode 7, SuperShadow and I will tour the world looking for the most talented Star Wars fans to have acting roles in the Star Wars sequels. If you have the ability, you could conceivably land the role of Ben Skywalker or Anakin Solo. It's not likely the main acting roles will go to the fans. Instead, the major roles will most likely go to professional actors. You have a fair chance to be one of the secondary Jedi or Dark Jedi.
When I conceived the idea to have Jedi ghosts at the conclusion of Return of the Jedi, we had no idea what Anakin Skywalker looked like in his younger days as a Jedi so I had the freedom to cast Sebastian Shaw as the old Darth Vader. It didn't really matter what Anakin looked like at that time. After I cast Hayden Christensen as Anakin in the Star Wars prequels, I finally had an idea of what Anakin looked like as a Jedi.
I added Hayden as the Anakin Jedi ghost at the end of Return of the Jedi because I wanted to represent how Anakin appeared when he was a Jedi. The old Anakin didn't reflect what the Jedi Anakin really looked like. That's the basic reason I replaced Sebastian with Hayden. This is my vision, which the fans must accept.
Because of what we saw in the old Star Wars films, I had no choice, but to allow the Sith Lords to outsmart Yoda and the rest of the Jedi Order during the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The kyber crystal provides Darth Sidious with powers beyond your imagination. The crystal allowed Sidious to cloud the entire light side of the Force, which made it impossible for the Jedi to figure out what was really taking place in the Star Wars prequels.
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Hi Mr. Lucas, a humanistic question. How you worked with your ego when you saw that you have a direct or indirect influence in almost every Human Being in this planet? Was very hard control it? Thank you very much. Your fan.
George Lucas: One of the reasons for creating Star Wars is that I wanted to provide a modern mythological story, which would teach children the difference between right and wrong. In the 1970's, no cinema director or film studio was making what I considered to be true entertainment based on ancient myth. I have to admit that the success of Star Wars has stunned me from the beginning.
When May 25, 1977 was on the horizon, I figured Star Wars might gross $ 25 to 30 million U.S. dollars domestically in theaters in the United States. What actually happened is beyond my wildest dreams. I still have to pinch myself when I wake up each morning because I can't believe how fortunate I've been. Star Wars has worked in an excessively profitable manner for over 30 years.
I have never figured out why Star Wars works so well with audiences while most of my other ideas have been rejected by the public. I don't personally consider the Star Wars saga to be my best film creations. What's amusing is that certain fans take it so seriously that they claim I ruined their childhood memories with the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
The Star Wars prequels are the same as the old Star Wars films. These films haven't changed. This is proven without doubt with the Star Wars plot formula. Instead you're the person who is now different than you were so many decades ago.
Many of you are now jaded and dejected because life didn't go as you wanted it to. There's nothing I can do to improve your life because I'm just a single individual with limited wealth. You shouldn't complain about things you can't control.
Your baseless criticism is not going to change the way I write Star Wars plots. I'm making Star Wars primarily to satisfy my artistic vision. If millions of people enjoy what I do, then that's great, but in the end the only person who really matters is me. I hope you will continue to follow Star Wars. I have countless hundreds of stories planned for the future Star Wars TV series.
We are entering the true golden age of Star Wars. You are extremely fortunate to be alive at this moment in time although you may disagree given your dire situation in society. Don't ever give up for tomorrow might be the day you have prayed so long for.
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George Lucas, will you ever release a book containing all the mysteries of Star Wars and there answers according to your vision? It would be a great book that us fans would enjoy! Thanks for reading this question!
George Lucas: Official Star Wars history has nothing to do with the Star Wars novels or comic books. I'm a visual story teller. My vision is limited only to the Star Wars films, TV series and video games with my involvement. I don't have enough free time to write a Star Wars book covering the entire Star Wars galaxy. You've got to accept the fact that certain questions you have about Star Wars will never be answered by me. You need to watch the new Star Wars TV series to get insider information based on my personal opinions.
Hey GL, I'm a dedicated fan of Star Wars since I've watched the 6th Star Wars movie episode when I was 7 years old. I'm just curious to know how you came up with all those weird creatures? For example, how did you create Yoda? And his way of backward talking? Does Yoda symbolize a personal friend of yours?
George Lucas: For The Empire Strikes Back, I wanted a great Jedi warrior, who would not at first be recognized as being powerful. One of the main themes of Star Wars is not being able to judge individuals by the way they appear on the outside. Yoda has tremendous amounts of personal inner strength and a mastery over the Force.
You don't need to be eight feet tall to be a fantastic character. The whole point of making Yoda so tiny was to make it so you can't know what's really going on. Nothing is what it seems upon initial inspection. Some aspects of life are enigmatic and beyond our ability to comprehend.
Why is the next Star Wars movie trilogy not coming out until 2021? Is there a specific reason for this? When these next Star Wars movies get done, are the original characters (the ones that were in the Star Wars Episodes 4, 5 and 6) going to be in them?
George Lucas: It's tradition for me to take a 16 year break in between each Star Wars film trilogy. I don't have to explain myself to the fans. If you don't like the way I do things, then don't watch the Star Wars films & TV shows and stop buying the Star Wars merchandise. Star Wars belongs to me. It is based on my vision. This is never going to change. Embrace it or find something else to obsess over.
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Mr. Lucas, I was reading this book called Star Wars Complete Locations and it seems that there are two Kashyyyks. Which one did we see in Star Wars Episode 3? The one in the inner rim or the mid rim territories. Also could they retrieve original clone armor and battle tanks for the new Star Wars movies and will there be battle droids in the new Star Wars movies?
George Lucas: In my vision for Star Wars, there is only one Wookiee home world of Kashyyyk. The Star Wars expanded universe is not official Star Wars history. It just expands on my ideas to give a more comprehensive description of the Star Wars galaxy.
There will be no weapons or star ships from the Clone Wars or the Star Wars prequel trilogy in Star Wars Episode 7. It is extremely unlikely you will see any battle droids in Star Wars Episode 7, 8 or 9.
Mr. Lucas, in the Star Wars The Force Unleashed video game, Shaak Ti appeared, but if you saw deleted scenes from Star Wars Episode 3 DVD Shaak Ti died. Why is that?
George Lucas: The deleted scenes, featured in the Star Wars DVD's, don't represent my vision as to what happens in the Star Wars films. I provide the omitted scenes as additional entertainment for the fans. Only what you see in the Star Wars films counts as official Star Wars history. The DVD deleted scenes for the Star Wars prequels are not meant to have any significance or meaning.
Dear Mr. Lucas, working over seas had kept me from attending any showing of the new Star Wars "The Clone Wars" computer animated adventure in theaters. As a fan of Star Wars since the release of "A New Hope" in 1977, I'm sure you can understand my dismay. However, with this great web site that SuperShadow has given us, I was able to keep up on all the hype, both negative and positive.
Recently, I was able to attain a copy of the two disc DVD set of the Clone Wars movie released in stores. Wow! I was very impressed. From the use of CGI animation, the voice acting, the sound track and the exciting scope of the story I was blown away. The new take on John Williams' opening score immediately got me into the mood and breathed new life into this exciting world.
I find the CGI to be a major improvement to the old animation that was previously used on the Clone Wars TV series from 2003, which also added a bit more "realism" to the characters. I could go on and on about all the great things this animated feature has going for it. But I'll keep things short by just saying a few things:
This story did indeed (as the DVD cover states) make me feel the excitement and adventure of the original Star Wars films. I know it didn't make as much at the box office as you had hoped, but this is a great story. The critics on both sides need to realize this and stop comparing everything you produce to the Star Wars prequels.
A true fan will accept anything you give to us, embrace it, enjoy it and find ways to support you so that more adventures like this one can find there way to the big screen and television. Star Wars means a great many things to many people on different levels. For me, it makes me feel like that five year old kid again -- every time. And for that, I thank you. Keep up the great work. God bless and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
George Lucas: You understand Star Wars on a very deep personal and emotional level. You're one of the fans, who actually understand what it's really all about. I make Star Wars for people like you and not jaded cynics, who are extremely bitter about life in general.
As long as you appreciate and enjoy Star Wars, then my sacrifice will be worth the effort. The fans don't realize how much of my life is invested in Star Wars. I spent twenty years combined working on both the old Star Wars films and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
It hasn't ended because I spend several hours each day planning and writing stories for the new Star Wars TV shows. I have to admit it's not really like work because I'm delighted with each minute I spend working on Star Wars. I pretty much have a permanent vacation and the perfect, idyllic life.
I would like to take a moment to thank you and other fans like you for supporting Star Wars year after year. During these tough economic times, it is more important now than ever before for each fan to heavily spend money on the Star Wars collectibles. We need your support more than ever before. Merry Christmas.
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I don't care what the critics say. The Star Wars The Clone Wars movie was incredible. I plan to buy it on DVD. Can't wait for the live action Star Wars TV series.
George Lucas: I don't make Star Wars for film critics. I don't care what they have to say at all. Star Wars is created for the fans and for the fans alone. Most film critics have never really understood what Star Wars is really about. SuperShadow was the first person I met since A New Hope, who comprehended what I'm trying to accomplish with Star Wars.
That's why his guidance has been so crucial in allowing the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the new Star Wars TV series to be so much more financially profitable when compared to the old Star Wars films. Not including my children, Shadow is the greatest blessing I have ever received. He's a miracle and the best friend you could hope for.
Hello. When are Star Wars Episodes 7 to 9 going to be filmed and what killed Padme after she gave birth during Revenge of the Sith?
George Lucas: Principal photography for Star Wars Episode 7 will begin in 2019. We still have over a decade before we need to start worrying about Star Wars Episode 7. For the time being, I'm going to spend most of my time developing stories for the various Star Wars TV series.
The combination of Force choke by Anakin Skywalker and a broken heart are what really caused Padme to perish. She pretty much gave up on life, which is extremely unfair to young Luke and Leia Skywalker, who really needed Padme. Life taking you by complete surprise is what happens in the Star Wars galaxy.
Hello Mr. Lucas, I was hoping that maybe today you might feel like giving the fans a bit of Star Wars canon. Could you give us a couple of names of Jedi, who survived the Jedi Purge besides Yoda and Obi-Wan?
I'm sick of all this Star Wars expanded universe garbage. Also are there any well known named Jedi killed by General Grievous? When Obi-Wan fights Grievous, who did the four light sabers Grievous fought with belong to? Thanks. Your visions are amazing.
George Lucas: I'm not going to reveal the identities of the unknown Jedi, who survived Order 66 and successfully hid from the Empire after Revenge of the Sith. Of course, Mace Windu survived, but there were dozens of other Jedi that were still alive by the time of A New Hope. Some of these hidden Jedi might be revealed in future Star Wars video games or Star Wars TV shows.
Unfortunately, practically no one reads the Star Wars novels and comic books. You would be shocked at the tiny numbers of these items we sell from month to month. However, it is enough money to pay most of our basic expenses so it's very important to keep generating these adventures for as long as can be maintained.
After General Grievous killed a Jedi, Grievous would keep their light saber as a trophy. Grievous didn't actually use any of these Jedi light sabers as weapons in battle because he considered these light sabers to be very much inferior to the ones Grievous could build himself.
SuperShadow.com lists a few of the Jedi killed by Grievous in the General Grievous section. Grievous never managed to slaughter any popular Jedi you've heard of. Most of his kills were minor Jedi, who are mostly anonymous to the fans.
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Hi George, in the new Star Wars movie trilogy, I had a thought for light saber battles. You said you will do hundreds of Jedi battling Dark Jedi on the Cloud City. How about having some scenes where the Jedi and Dark Jedi fall off Cloud City and start battling in the air as they crash to the ground. Jedi grabs jet packs and fly back up or some die as well. Your choice always.
I think this would look awesome from a fan's view. Also when the Jedi are fighting together, you should have the Jedi combine their Force powers so Force push would be 100 times more powerful because the Jedi can control the Force together. Again this would be great for the silver screen. Take care. I can wait a while. Let them wait, George, let them wait.
George Lucas: You have several good ideas. I'm constantly looking for new fans ideas to integrate in future Star Wars films and the TV series. I could see having a scene in Star Wars Episode 7 where the Jedi have to combine their Force powers in order to escape some kind of danger. Thanks for this suggestion. You can expect to see it integrated somewhere eventually in the films or TV shows.
Regarding the new Star Wars movie trilogy, why would you bring back Darth Maul and Mace Windu? They had their screen time and it will be a long time since those events happened. Maul was chopped in half by Obi-Wan. Maul wouldn't have survived at all and Mace fell to his death.
I just think the new movie trilogy needs the new characters much younger and take the story from there because to be fair it's a new era for the Jedi. These characters won't bring anything apart from revenge to the story. What are your thoughts?
George Lucas: Part of the reasoning behind continuing the story with Star Wars Episode 7, 8 and 9 is to provide the most popular Star Wars characters with proper resolutions to their lives. Many fans don't enjoy what happened to Mace Windu and Darth Maul in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Star Wars Episode 7 provides me with the perfect opportunity to further develop these characters in order to achieve my full artistic vision.
I was thinking in Star Wars do they have any gun or weapon regulations like we do? And what is your take on guns?
George Lucas: The Star Wars galaxy is similar to the Wild West days of the United States. It's anything goes for most of the galaxy. I don't have an interest in politics so this means I have no opinion about gun ownership or gun rights.
Hi Mr. Lucas, my name is ***** ****** and you will never believe what I am doing about you! I and my friend are doing National History Day together and this year's theme is individual in history! And I know you are probably thinking what does this have to do with my millions of fans writing to me.
Well, we chose you! We both love your movies and thought of you to do right away! There is something that we could ask of you if you could. If you could tell us somethings about your inspiration for your movies or TV shows or anything that you think that might help us win a prize! We are both huge fans of yours and we both understand if you don't reply. Thank you for your time.
George Lucas: I'm flattered that youngsters find my life fascinating enough to research and write papers about me. The development of Star Wars is chronicled in the History of Star Wars section of SuperShadow.com. I appreciate your interest in school and learning. You should seek to improve your situation by attending school every day and doing much more homework than you are given by your teachers. Make sure to attend a prestigious university with a worldwide reputation for excellence. I hope my life has inspired each of you to reach a high level of accomplishment in all your endeavors.
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Hello, Mr. GL. I have a few questions for you. 1. How many years pass between Star Wars Episodes IV, V and VI? 2. In Star Wars Episode VI, why didn't Palpatine sense that Anakin would betray him? 3. Will we see someone constructing their light saber? I know you said you won't rely on your fans' ideas, but this is something I'd like to see. Thank you for your time. May the Force be with you.
George Lucas: I don't reveal specifics on how much time elapses between each Star Wars film episode. The entire adventure from the old Star Wars films takes place within a few short years. That's the best answer you'll get from me. You can search the Star Wars expanded universe for a more definite time duration, but remember it's not my personal vision.
The path of the dark side always leads to self destruction in the end. Palpatine made the mistake of trusting the dark side. For over 30 years, the dark side gave Palpatine accurate glimpses of the future. During Return of the Jedi, Palpatine's dark side visions make Palpatine think Luke Skywalker will turn to the dark side and that the Rebel Alliance will be eradicated at the Battle of Endor. As we learned, Palpatine's faith in the dark side was misplaced and ended with the collapse of Palpatine's reign of terror.
For over 3 decades, the fans have constantly asked to see somebody making a light saber either in one of the films or a TV show. This will probably never happen, but no matter what I say it's not going to cease the constant complaints from the fans as to why I don't do what they want. Star Wars is my artistic vision. If you disagree with me, then don't watch the Star Wars films or new television series. I'm going to follow my heart no matter what kind of criticism I get from the fans.
Hello Mr. Lucas, I've been a fan of Star Wars since 1977. My son is now a bigger fan than I ever was. I've always loved the storm trooper voices from A New Hope and Bob Fett's voice from The Empire Strikes Back. Any chance of bringing back Boba's old Clint Eastwood "spaghetti western" sounding voice? Still a fan either way.
George Lucas: When I decided to make Jango and Boba Fett an integral part of Attack of the Clones, this completely changed everything you knew about the storm troopers and Boba Fett from the old films. Once you learn Jango is the DNA source for most of the Imperial storm troopers and for his son Boba, then you understand why I had to change the voices of the storm troopers and Boba from the old films to match my final vision from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The previous versions of the old films no longer represent my vision.
How does Ahsoka Tano die? Is she killed by Anakin (her own Jedi Master), by a storm trooper at the invasion of the Jedi Temple or escapes to a remote planet led by the Rebel Alliance? (P.S. PLEASE make over 100 episodes of the Star Wars "The Clone Wars" TV series. It is the best TV show on the Cartoon Network)!
George Lucas: Ahsoka Tano doesn't appear in Revenge of the Sith so this makes some of you believe she becomes deceased somewhere during the Clone Wars. It should be noted that Ahsoka might have been in some remote and distant part of the galaxy while the events of Revenge of the Sith unfolded. You'll have to watch the new Star Wars The Clone Wars TV show to find out what eventually happened to her. It will be a shock to many fans.
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Hi Mr. Lucas, I just wanted to ask something. I've been a fan of Star Wars all my life and I have watched your movies about a billion times each. Anyway, my friends are always asking me why all the technology in Star Wars looks better in the Star Wars prequels and more advanced than they do in the first Star Wars movie trilogy.
I tell them that this is because the period in which the Empire was in control of the galaxy is kinda like the dark ages of our medieval times here on Earth so that would probably bring every technological progress made that far to a halt in order for the Empire to be able to rule everyone the way it wanted to.
I wonder if there's a better explanation to this? Oh and by the way, the Star Wars prequel Episode 3 was just so amazing. Seeing Palpatine show his true self was something I'll never forget. As well as seeing Darth Vader in the ending sequence. I don't have words to describe it that was just awesome! Thank you!
George Lucas: In A New Hope, Obi-Wan describes the reign of the Empire as the dark times. The Star Wars prequel trilogy shows the Old Republic at its height of glory and grandeur. The technology is new and pristine during the prequels. The problem with the Clone Wars is that the Separatists had access to mind boggling advanced technology, which allowed them to create the powerful droid military.
Darth Sidious didn't make this mistake after the Empire was formed. Sidious made sure that the private sector didn't develop any new or higher technology after Revenge of the Sith. Sidious didn't want dissenters to have military technology, which could challenge the Imperial Navy. All research and development of technology in the galaxy was invested in constantly improving the machines and weapons utilized by the Empire.
Governments deceive citizens like parents deceive their children. That's how they maintain power. The people that discover the truth become radicals and are discredited in the public. MK Ultra and 9-11 were conspiracies as was Pearl Harbor.
The D.O.D. and F.D.R. knew the Japanese were coming and allowed the attack to get Americans to support the war. Just as they allowed 9-11 to happen when they were warned by numerous foreign intelligence agencies that an attack was imminent. The biggest atrocity was that Osama bin Laden actually worked for the C.I.A.
George Lucas: There is no authentic evidence to support your conspiracy theories. The members of the U.S. Government aren't competent enough to cover up a plot as complex as the ones you describe. What you suggest would involve hundreds perhaps even thousands of conspirators.
We have to accept reality for what it is. Bad things happen because of the free will exercised by other people. We should blame the terrorists for all attacks on New York City, not federal employees, who remain clueless as to what is really happening.
Hello Mr. Lucas: I have some questions about Star Wars Episode III and Episode IV. In Star Wars Episode III after Obi-Wan defeated Anakin Skywalker [a.k.a. Darth Vader] in a light saber duel on Mustafar, Obi-Wan picked up Anakin's light saber, which explains in Star Wars Episode IV that Obi-Wan kept it as a gift for Luke Skywalker.
Back in Star Wars Episode III inside the Tantive IV star ship, Senator Bail Organa ordered Captain Antilles to wipe out C-3PO's memory, which explains in Star Wars Episode IV why C-3PO doesn't remember Tatooine or Obi-Wan, but R2-D2 does.
In Star Wars Episode IV, Luke Skywalker refers to Obi-Wan Kenobi as Ben so my question is: why in Star Wars Episode III Obi-Wan didn't mention about changing his name to Ben? Thank you, Mr. Lucas, and may the Force be with you.
George Lucas: Well, Obi-Wan didn't really start using the name "Ben" until after Revenge of the Sith. It might be true that Obi-Wan wasn't commonly being called "Ben" before Luke was born, but you shouldn't have an overly exaggerated technical interpretation of the Star Wars films.
In the end, Obi-Wan began being called "Ben" soon after Luke was born. There was no need for Obi-Wan to tell Yoda to call Obi-Wan the name "Ben" at the conclusion of Revenge of the Sith because I can't make every scene from the Star Wars prequels a reference to what took place in the old Star Wars films.
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Hi Mr. Lucas, I saw that in one of your answers, you mentioned that in Star Wars Episode 7 + 8 + 9, Anakin Solo and Ben Skywalker will appear. Does this mean that it will take place before the Vong war? If that is the case, then how can Ben and Anakin be the same age as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in A New Hope? Does this mean that everything including and after the Vong war will be considered non canon? Please reply because I am sure that many, many, many fans would be disappointed by this.
George Lucas: The Star Wars expanded universe of novels does not represent my vision of Star Wars because those stories are not written by me. I don't have to follow what other authors have written as to what happened after Return of the Jedi. I will borrow a few ideas from the Star Wars books, but I'm not under any requirement to duplicate their plot lines. I have a new adventure planned for our heroes for Star Wars Episode 7, 8 and 9. These plots are found exclusively at SuperShadow.com.
Crash and burn. The idea of a live action Star Wars TV show without any Jedi or Sith is going to be bad!
George Lucas: Critics have doubted Star Wars even before I filmed A New Hope. Everybody predicts failure, but we always survive even after the Star Wars The Clone Wars film debacle in theaters. I'm going to follow my heart no matter what the fans might think. The live action TV show is going to focus on a group of individuals, who are completely detached from what goes on in the rest of the galaxy.
It doesn't impact them whether or not civilization is controlled by the Old Republic or the Empire. After you've actually watched this TV series, you will agree with my concepts. I have absolute faith in my ability to produce the exact kind of Star Wars the fans want to see on television because SS.com allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of the fans.
Hey George, I know it's cliche, but your movies are the best. They're my favorite and I've probably watched them 15 times each. ANY WAYS. I remember seeing the Star Wars Episode 3 DVD extras that you brought in Peter Jackson at one point. What did he help with exactly? Thank you for your time. I understand you're very busy.
George Lucas: For those of you unfamiliar with Peter, he was the director of the landmark The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Peter is a close friend of mine. Peter visited the set of the Star Wars prequel trilogy as an observer, not as an adviser. He wanted to get an idea of what it takes to direct a high budget film production, which is heavy on special effects. I believe Peter learned a lot by watching me direct the prequels so in some ways I helped to improve the films subsequently created by Peter.
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This is to Star wars fans. The old Star Wars films are not technically advanced as the new ones due to the time, age and money issues as well as other issues. SO GET OVER IT and quit complaining to Mr. Lucas about it! I respect the fact that Mr. Lucas is waiting until later to release Star Wars Episode 7. More power to you, George. May the Force always be with you!
George Lucas: I had no choice but to make A New Hope with extremely primitive special effects technology because that's all we had in the 1970's. After the excessive profits from the old Star Wars films, I could afford to wait until the special effects community caught up with my personal vision for Star Wars. It took over 15 years for computer animation to get to a point where the Star Wars prequel trilogy became feasible to create.
The younger generation prefers the Star Wars prequels because those films are more exciting with many, many extraordinary action sequences. The older generation picks the old Star Wars films because of the nostalgia factor. At this moment, it is impossible to produce Star Wars Episode 7 because the action scenes will be beyond your comprehension. We will need the digital technology of 2019 to even make it possible to film Star Wars Episode 7.
Dear Mr. Lucas, I had a question for you. I know you based Order 66 in Revenge of the Sith on the devil's number and I know that you incorporated real historical elements in the Star Wars movies. Well, recently in my college history class we talked about the rise of communism in Russia.
Well, one of the things mentioned was Army Order # 1, which was the order for the army to mutiny against the Tzar and start the communist state. During that discussion, I couldn't help but notice its similarity to Order 66. My question is, was there a connection between the two orders? Thanks for your time and may your day be a good one.
George Lucas: Russia is a great nation with tremendously talented leaders and compassionate people. However, Star Wars is not based in Russian history. Instead, it borrows heavily from ancient Rome and the German Third Reich. Order 66 is my version of the 666 Mark of the Beast from the New Testament of the Holy Bible. It symbolizes the end of freedom to be replaced with tyranny.
Basically, you can't participate in the new world economy once the authoritarians require you to take the 666 enumeration. Likewise, the prior system under the Old Republic and Jedi Order can no longer continue. The citizens of the galaxy must pledge unwavering support and loyalty to the Empire founded by Darth Sidious.
What war took place immediately after the Battle of Geonosis? When Chancellor Palpatine and Senator Bail Organa were watching the clone troopers enter the star ships at the end of Star Wars EPISODE 2, what were the first specific planets they went to?
George Lucas: I don't have the history of the Clone Wars meticulously mapped out in advance. I allow it all to be open ended so we can make up the story as we go along in order not to limit the creativity of the screen writers of the new Star Wars The Clone Wars TV series and any future Star Wars TV shows, which might be created one day. You need to follow the Clone Wars TV show and the Star Wars expanded universe of novels, comic books and video games to learn what happened during the Clone Wars.
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Mr. Lucas, back in 2005 me, my brother and my girlfriend went to see Star Wars Episode 3. After a couple of weeks, my best friend saw it. My girlfriend and my best friend never understood why Anakin turned so quickly to the dark side. I told them because Anakin was attracted to the power of the dark side and therefore made his conversion quicker along with Palpatine constantly whispering in Anakin's ear encouraging him on. Is that true? Thank you for making an integral part of my childhood.
George Lucas: The problem with the Star Wars films is that they only last about 2 hours and 20 minutes in running time on average. I simply don't have any screen time to belabor Anakin's fall to the dark side. Out of absolute necessity, it had to happen very quickly. Also, you need to realize that Darth Sidious was a father figure to Anakin and that Anakin trusted Sidious without question.
In short, when Anakin learned Sidious was a Sith Lord, it all made sense to Anakin. The Sith were the perfect catalyst to bring justice and peace back to a galaxy torn apart by greed, corruption and war. It may seem like Anakin fell to the dark side hastily, but when you examine this issue more closely, then you understand why Anakin doesn't hesitate to join the Sith.
Mr. Lucas. I just had an idea that may boost the Nielson TV ratings for the current Star Wars The Clone Wars TV show. Make one or two episodes in 3-D and you could provide the 3-D glasses with a wave of Clone Wars action figures or in some other fashion such as "Free 3-D glasses with a purchase of any Star Wars action figure only at Target."
You could have the episode(s) air in the Fall of 2009 and that would give the fans time to get their 3-D glasses and time to make the episodes. Unless of course you think 3-D as a lame source of entertainment. I think it's brilliant and worth investigating as a potential source of revenue in the action figure market.
George Lucas: I believe the 3D format might extend the life of the giant multiplexes because cinema owners have to give the audience an experience they can't really replicate with modern home theater systems. The 3D methods utilized for television aren't really 3D. It's not worth the effort to make 3D television episodes of the Clone Wars TV show when the 3D methodologies don't really work yet. Perhaps in another 10 years this 3D concept will be more evolved to meet the extremely high standards of Star Wars.
It's funny that you picked the Soviets as the bad guys in Indiana Jones 4 and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull when they were actually the good guys in the Cold War. The C.I.A. has done far worse atrocities than the K.G.B. ever did. Examples: Jonestown, (Project MK Ultra) and 9-11.
George Lucas: The past and current Russians are extremely admirable. They had thousands of nuclear weapons during the Cold War yet never operated any of them against foreign nations. The only country to ever use an atomic device aggressively is the United States. Of course, America has an extremely long history of hostilities towards others. It continues to this current day and age. However, a super power does as it wants and doesn't have to answer to the rest of the world.
One of the benefits of the existence of the Soviet Union was its ability to limit the reach of American hegemony. Without a second super power, the United States basically does what it wants at all times. There's nothing wrong with this as long as there is nothing to stop the belligerent nature of America. We must pray diligently that the gods of the native people of North America are not real.
Only these gods could pay us back for the genocide that happened 500 or so years ago. Additionally, we must hope these gods do not blame the present generation for what took place so many centuries ago. True compassion is shown to those you can destroy easily, but you choose to allow them to survive at least temporarily. Mercy is sometimes shown even if you can't understand why.
Back to your question. Most individuals can't accept that the most important catastrophic events take place randomly and without cause. Some fools want to believe there is a shadowy cabal of ultra powerful Humans, who control the sum of all world events.
I can say accurately and without hesitation that there are no secret societies, which control the entire planet. Insignificant people are behind all the tragic incidents of the past. No conspiracies of any kind are actual. None such schemes can be real.
George, can you update the fans on the current status of the live action Star Wars TV series? When will it be broadcast on television for the first time? Keep building dreams.
George Lucas: The live action TV series has been delayed to late 2011 or 2012. We face a complex situation from a creative perspective. The primary Star Wars films cost about $ 50 million U.S. dollars per hour. In contrast, we have to keep the production budget of the live action TV show to around $ 2 million U.S. dollars per episode. This means there will be few, if any, action sequences in the live action TV series.
Most of this show will be dialogue or exposition. In the Star Wars films, I prefer to insert an action sequence in every 15 minutes in order to keep the films at a rapid pace and extremely exciting for the fans. We don't have this luxury for a live action TV show. It's difficult to make this low budget TV show feel and look like authentic Star Wars with practically no money.
We will find a solution to this problem as we continue to develop the scripts for the initial episodes of the first season. I don't want to disappoint the fans. However, there still won't be any Jedi, Sith or light sabers in the live action TV series. If we can afford it, there might be a space battle once and a while, but the fandom is going to have to get use to Star Wars without elaborate action sequences because we can't afford them.
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Mr. Lucas, kudos on Star Wars. Great work with Indiana Jones 4 and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It was a master stroke to have one of your movies involving both the Soviets and extraterrestrials. What do you consider to be the most iconic star ship from Star Wars? Thanks for the continuous inspiration you provide to the countless millions of fans.
George Lucas: This is an interesting question. We've never conducted official surveys to determine the most well known star ships from Star Wars. I would state without doubt that the Millennium Falcon is the most recognized space craft from the old Star Wars films. Practically everyone knows the Falcon is from Star Wars. Unfortunately, none of the star ships from the Star Wars prequel trilogy have achieved this type of notoriety.
Of course, the old films are over 30 years old so this has given them more time to seep into the consciousness of the world. Many of you probably laugh and think none of the prequel star craft will attain the success of the older ones. You need to remember that when we created the old films we didn't try to make classic star ships on purpose. It happened purely by chance and accident.
The design of the Millennium Falcon was one of a thousand star ship drawings from Ralph McQuarrie that I had to choose from when working on A New Hope. It's just a strange coincidence that the Falcon has its current design. If I were making the old films today, the Falcon would probably have an entirely new look because you can't capture magic on purpose.
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George, I love all your movies especially the Star Wars classic and prequel trilogies. Do you ever wake up late at night terrified thinking what life would be like without SuperShadow in your daily life? Thanks for reading this question.
George Lucas: Shadow is the best thing to happen to each of us. Without Shadow, it would have a devastating impact on the Star Wars prequels. SuperShadow.com allows me to have my finger on the pulse of the fans. I know exactly what each of you is thinking. This is what allows me to create perfect Star Wars films like the prequels.
Since the beginning, every aspect related to Star Wars has been a surprise. I wish we would have had SS.com back in the late 1970's. We really needed this resource when we first created Star Wars. The feedback from the fans is what keeps me going. The support the fandom shows me is amazing above words. Shadow has made this all possible. We must always remain thankful to the brilliant work of Shadow.
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GL, you astonish and amaze the fans with inquisitive brilliance rarely experienced in the short history of Human civilization. My question today delves into your deepest secrets. How much time do you have to invest when creating the story ideas and screenplays for the Star Wars movies and TV series? This is something I've not seen you talk about in the past.
Thanks for improving the planet with your unique views on film making. I will continue to purchase all products related to Star Wars, Indiana Jones and any future movie franchises you decide to make because we know GL never runs out of genius ideas.
George Lucas: The basic idea for Star Wars originated in 1973. For the next couple of years, I wrote and wrote story concepts focusing on Star Wars. It took many months to get the foundations for the Star Wars saga in place. By early 1975, I had enough plot material for twelve individual film episodes. There wasn't much to the overall story at first because I decided to focus on the second film trilogy, which was Star Wars Episode 4, 5 and 6.
By late 1975, I had the script for A New Hope completed. We filmed it in 1976 and then we spent most of the rest of the year and early 1977 completing the special effects, which were revolutionary at the time. After the success of A New Hope, I didn't have much time to write the follow up. I expanded on the ideas I had created earlier and gave them to Lawrence Kasdan in order to pen a full script for The Empire Strikes Back.
I kept changing elements of the Star Wars plot because it didn't really matter what we did in the old Star Wars films as long as I didn't reveal any specific details about what happened during the time of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. After the theatrical release of Return of the Jedi in 1983, I retired from Star Wars and didn't work on the story further. I was burned out on Star Wars since I worked on it for a decade from 1973 to 1983.
When I saw the completed computer animation for the first Jurassic Park film, it was apparent that the special effects technology now existed to capture my full artistic vision without compromises. In early 1995, I began writing the screenplay for The Phantom Menace. It took over a year to complete the script. I enjoyed working on the Star Wars prequels more than the old films because I was able to write and direct the prequels with no interference by third parties.
Some jaded fans claim I spend less than 5 minutes working on the plots for Star Wars, but unfortunately that's not true. What you see in the finished Star Wars films takes many years to write out in the form of a script. If you haven't ever worked in the film industry, then you wouldn't understand how difficult it is to actually make a film. The fans need to empathize with how most of my life has been consumed with Star Wars. Exceeding fan expectation is what keeps me going year after endless year.
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Dear George. How are you? Thanks for your impressive work over all these years, that have inspired so many people to make new things and improve many lives in different ways. I was just wondering why you don't believe in UFO's? According to you, if they don't exist, what is all the evidence about them that's been accumulated during all of Human history? What do you think those things are? Personally, I've never seen one, so I am in a middle position between believing or not. Thanks for your time. Have a great weekend!
George Lucas: What evidence? People claim to see objects in the sky they can't identify. Nearly all of these sightings are known things like satellites, planets, secret military aircraft, the space station and whatever else you can think of.
Visuals we can't categorize don't mean they are extraterrestrial space craft. Look carefully into space and deep into the galaxy. There's nothing there and we can't see any macro engineering projects created by extraterrestrials because there are no aliens. The Heavens declare the glory of God.
As a result, we have direct evidence that the Supreme Creator is real. In contrast, there is absolutely no concrete proof that alien entities from outside Earth are actual. In fact, we haven't even found an alien bolt or anything. Nothing at all. You can't find evidence of what does not exist.
You need to face the reality that there are no extraterrestrials. We're all alone in the Universe. Those are the basic facts. Accept them for what they are. The genuine nature of reality is independent of what you want it to be. You can't make alien creatures real through wishful thinking. These alien beings will never exist.
Short question - will the Star Wars movies be shown back to back in theaters one day? Like go in early in the morning and start at Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace and walk out after Return of the Jedi?
George Lucas: No, the 6 Star Wars film episodes were never meant to be seen in one sitting in a single day. They're serialized in nature, which means I intend for them to be seen weekly one at a time like the old science fiction serial films from the 1930's and 1940's. Back in the earlier days of cinema, they would have serial films with a new episode each week.
You'd watch this week's serial episode and it would end with a cliffhanger. The next week you'd return to the theater to see the resolution of the previous serial film's story. That's what I want Star Wars to imitate. You can make this daily rather than weekly, which means you can start watching The Phantom Menace on Sunday then watch each Star Wars film episode ending with Return of the Jedi on Friday.
Dear George, I'm still in my early 20 years old so I expect to see more than the 9 Star Wars film episodes in my life time, which brings me to my question, what will happen to Star Wars after you become a Force spirit? As a dedicated fan, I'm curious to ask this and I have said this in the most nicest way I can. Hahaha.
George Lucas: SuperShadow has me convinced I'll enjoy at least a minimum of another 30 years of life. I'll be ninety something years old before it's over and done with. Shadow is always right about everything so I'm confident I will be around to produce Star Wars Episode 7, 8 & 9 and Indiana Jones 5 & 6.
It's far from guaranteed, but I'm a lucky person where life goes my way nearly all the time. I've written a short story summary for Star Wars Episode 10, 11 and 12. I'm certain the fourth Star Wars film trilogy will not be created during my life time.
Hopefully, my children and Shadow will continue the Star Wars tradition and will make new Star Wars films and TV series for as long as it is creatively viable. In the short term, I'm going to spend the next ten to fifteen years working on the various Star Wars TV shows. I'm not thinking about my life beyond these dates. It really doesn't matter what happens in the extreme distant future because none of us can control tomorrow.
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George, Star Wars is illustrious over what I can describe in the simplistic English language. Like most other fans, I find the Star Wars classic trilogy to be a disappointment overall because they weren't as majestically epic and ambitiously grandiose as the Star Wars prequel trilogy. However, nothing could prepare me for the magnitude of the genius of Star Wars Episode 7, 8 and 9. These stories are collectively the pinnacle of Star Wars.
It's unfair that you save your best ideas for last. The true fans should get to experience Star Wars Episode 7 immediately. Not in May of 2021. We are being tortured daily until then. All we can do is visit SS.com to receive your blessings and you can continually comfort us in the knowledge that eventually many, many years from now that Star Wars Episode 7 will arrive. May you always have the perfect life and the advantages of having a great friend like SuperShadow.
George Lucas: A New Hope was limited to two primary environments of Tatooine and the death star because 20th Century Fox only gave me roughly $ 11 million U.S. dollars to make the first Star Wars film. I self financed both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi so the production budgets of each of those films were low because all the money I had was the profits from A New Hope. Also, the special effects technology was so primitive back in those days that I couldn't create exotic alien worlds like Coruscant.
For several reasons, I waited 16 years after the theatrical release of Return of the Jedi to revive Star Wars in cineplexes with The Phantom Menace. The most important reason is that it wasn't until Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park film that the computer animation existed to make the Star Wars prequels. It was impossible to make the prequels without advanced digital tools. Additionally, I enjoyed an extended vacation because I wanted to get Lucasfilm to a point where we could survive without having a Star Wars or Indiana Jones film constantly in multiplexes.
The reason each Star Wars trilogy gets more and more complex is because the special effects resources keep getting better and much cheaper. If I were to film Star Wars Episode 7 in 2008, it would cost well over $ 300 million U.S. dollars because it involves the most sophisticated action sequences in the history of cinema. One day I will finish the story of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. I need to complete the Skywalker adventures because the fans deserve to see my whole vision. Thanks for your patience. Time will pass quickly and Star Wars Episode 7 will be ready soon.
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Mr. Lucas, I would like to thank you for sharing your Star Wars vision with us. I would just like to ask a question concerning the Star Wars prequels. By using the dark side, was Palpatine able to engineer the kidnapping of Anakin's mother? It was reminiscent of torturing Han Solo to get Luke Skywalker to go to Bespin in Star Wars Episode 5. My wishes for your continued success and anxious to see the live action Star Wars TV series.
George Lucas: This is an extremely preposterous fan idea. Since this concept originates on the Internet, this means it has no chance of being correct. The only evidence that counts towards official Star Wars history is what we see in the Star Wars film episodes. There is no proof that Darth Sidious was involved in the capture of Shmi Skywalker by the Sand People during Attack of the Clones. What would be the point in this matter?
You have to use your common sense. Living on the moisture farms on Tatooine is dangerous because you can be attacked by vicious creatures like the Tusken Raiders at any moment. You don't require needlessly complicated conspiracies from the Sith Lords, which result in irrational beliefs, to have Shmi killed.
It is foolish to believe that Sidious was involved in Shmi's torture and death especially when the supporting facts from the films favor no involvement by the Sith. It is very, very silly and wrong to believe that everything that goes wrong in the Star Wars galaxy is somehow caused by Sidious. Your inane idea goes against true Star Wars canon.
Mr. Lucas, do you see all the messages sent by the fans here in the SS web site? Or SS makes a selection? Thank you, Mr. Lucas and SS.
George Lucas: SuperShadow picks the particular questions and comments I will give responses to each week, but I eventually read all submissions at SuperShadow.com. I welcome this because it allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of the fans. I can know exactly what the fans want from Star Wars, which explains why the fans anticipate and relish the Star Wars prequel trilogy and new Star Wars TV shows much more than the old Star Wars movies.
Mr. Lucas, are we going to see a live action Star Wars TV series taking place between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones that shows Plo Koon killing Darth Rage? What you think of another showdown between Yoda and Count Dooku in the new Star Wars The Clone Wars TV series? What about have Quinlan Vos in the TV series? Dooku could turn Quinlan Vos to the dark side and order him to make clones for the Separatist more advanced then the Old Republic clones.
Quinlan Vos and his clones infiltrate in a snow planet and create a Separatist base. When the Jedi and the clones arrive, they're attacked by cannons. This cannons are the Separatists clones transformed. The others transform into spider droids. The Jedi and clones attack, but the Separatist clones turn invisible and transform into a bomb and kill thirty five Jedi.
Asokha Tano, Obi-Wan, Anakin Skywalker and Plo Koon are the only survivors and they are capture by Quinlan Vos and taken to the Separatist base. There they are torture by General Grievous. Quinlan see their friends being torture by Grievous and turn to the light side again and saved them and destroy the Separatist clones after learning their wickedness.
The Separatist base is destroyed, but Grievous and the Separatists survive. I'm sorry if this is ridiculous, but I didn't know what to think. I want to give a idea for the TV show. Maybe next time, I have better ideas, but wait I have another. What you think about you show snow troopers in this TV series?
George Lucas: For the time being, there will be no second computer animated Star Wars TV series taking place during the days of the Star Wars prequels. The next computer animated Star Wars TV series will occur during the early years of Yoda or after the events of A New Hope. I have not decided yet what direction Star Wars will follow in the future. Anything is possible, but this TV series will happen only if the new Clone Wars TV show flourishes very well in the Nielson TV ratings.
You will never see a second Yoda vs. Darth Tyranus fight in a TV show or film. Quinlan Vos is the last character I will introduce in the next TV or film project. Your ideas are quite silly and need much improvement. You can't randomly type at a computer and write great Star Wars adventures. It takes me several hours to create ideas for each episode of the Star Wars TV series.
You need to expend more energy to accomplish something of worth. Thanks for being such a dedicated fan, who should invest more money in the Star Wars merchandising endeavors. The money we earn from Star Wars makes Star Wars Episode 7, 8 and 9 possible.
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Hello George, I just wondered what you thought about other movie franchises dropping the corniness like James Bond and Batman becoming more real. I know Star Wars wouldn't work if it was too real, but have you thought about what worked 30 years ago in the one line jokes and scenes might not wash as part of a modern day episode of Star Wars (e.g., I know a lot of people didn't like Jar Jar Binks and wanted to see the dark times of an Empire rising)?
George Lucas: Star Wars is my exclusive vision, not yours. If you don't like the present direction Star Wars is taking, then by all means watch James Bond and Batman instead. From the beginning, many individuals have criticized, undermined and intensely detested Star Wars. If I had listened to these detractors, then Star Wars wouldn't even exist. Nobody thought Star Wars was going to work as a film. I was the only person, who believed Star Wars had potential.
You can see why I do my own thing and don't care about what complainers have to say about Star Wars. I'll integrate certain fan ideas in the Star Wars films and TV series, but most of what you see is based in my imagination. I know you want your words to have significance. You want to be important. Instead of being negative about Star Wars, you should create your own science fiction property, which is controlled by your wishes. You will quickly discover it is nearly impossible to invent something, which people will actually notice in the current market place.
Star Wars has thrived both commercially and critically for over 30 years because of my faith and guidance of it. I can't create a Star Wars plot idea that will satisfy every single fan. In the end, I'm making Star Wars for myself. If other people enjoy what I do, then that's great, but I'm not going to change my ways to meet the unrealistic demands of those, who are caustic about life in general.
Dear Mr. Lucas, I love the Star Wars novels based on the action during the Clone Wars such as Jedi Trial. Will there be more of the Star Wars novels to come?
George Lucas: The Star Wars expanded universe of novels, comic books and video games is sacred to a very limited number of fans. The Star Wars video games produce tremendous profits while the Star Wars novels and comic books are not nearly as successful. We will continue to release the Star Wars novels and comic books for as long as we can make money from them. Lucasfilm is a small company. The only secure channels we have for revenues are Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
In a perfect world, all the fans of SuperShadow.com would buy the novels and comic books. SuperShadow isn't interested in Star Wars adventures not written by me. I don't have enough free time to spend countless months writing Star Wars novels. As a result, most fans aren't interested in the Star Wars novels and comic books. This will never change because Shadow is stubborn and will not support the secondary stories no matter what I say.
Hello Mr. Lucas, I'm an illustrator and animator and I've worked on several Star Wars properties through Wizards of the Coast and Sony. (You can see a few illustrations on my web site www.*****.com and I'd be delighted to share more with you if you're interested).
I'm interested in Star Wars licensing. I've wanted to contribute to the Star Wars Universe for as long as I can remember. While I'm very happy to be illustrating, I'd really love to produce new content.
Primarily, I'm interested in producing an animated Star Wars mini series or feature. I'd greatly appreciate any communication from you. Thank you very much, *** *****, ****@*****.com, www.*****.com.
George Lucas: Over the past decades, Star Wars has inspired many artists. More than can be counted. However, there are a limited number of jobs related to Star Wars at my companies. Each new job opening gets thousands of applicants. Extremely talented people are willing to work for minimum wage just to be involved with what I have created. This is very flattering. By keeping the salaries of my employees as low as possible, we can make sure Star Wars will continue to be successful.
I don't have any direct control over the hiring for the jobs at my companies. I have employees, who do all this work. If you have an interest in working for me, then visit our official Lucasfilm web sites to see what positions we have open. The odds are against you getting a job with us, but if you don't apply, then there is no chance at all. I wish you the best in life. You have much to offer our society.
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Mr. Lucas, I hope things are going well and congrats on all of your success. From what I can tell, you seem to be a ***** (political party name omitted) and that would mean that *** (political candidate name omitted) is your choice. You seem like a kind hearted and generous person so don't you think that the tax breaks for the upcoming years should go to the less fortunate citizens? I guess that it just bothers me that rich people just want more money. HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU REALLY NEED!?
You have supermodels and exotic cars as well as many things that I am not privileged to have either. I am not jealous. I just hope that someday in the near future the fortunate come around and feel an obligation to help the less fortunate. Some people, unlike myself, just never got a chance for success. Wouldn't you like to help them or is it really just about your money? Basically, would you make Star Wars for free or do you really do it just for the money?
George Lucas: I sympathize with your opinions, but you don't seem to comprehend how the economy and corporations really work. The United States has a $ 14 trillion U.S. dollars gross domestic product. In comparison to Lucasfilm, we have absolutely no major impact on society at all. I'll admit that Star Wars is a high profile film franchise and it is iconic around the world. However, the revenues we earn from Star Wars are modest in most years. In our best years, we make over $ 1 billion U.S. dollars plus from Star Wars in a 12 month calendar period of time.
Our earnings equal much less than 1 % of 1 % of the entire economy. That's in our top years when we have a Star Wars or Indiana Jones film in theaters. The average year for us is very, very diffident. Much less than you would believe. People who think I have billions and billions of U.S. dollars are just wrong. All the money I make is reinvested in my companies. If I could reduce or eliminate my unfair tax burden, I could afford to greatly expand the number of employees I have.
As it stands now, over 50 % of the money we make goes to local, state or the federal government. I'm not after profits from Star Wars in order to stockpile larger and larger sums of money. I am wealthy. That can't be disputed, but it's completely wrong to say I'm hording money so that I can pay cash for the newest Lamborghini or some luxurious villa in France. That's not reality. I don't believe in giving donations to charities because most of what they collect goes to paying their own salaries and administrative costs. Not much of the cash given to charities goes to the less fortunate.
This is why I started the George Lucas Educational Foundation so that I could control how my money is spent on philanthropic works. I've given the film school of the University of Southern California $ 170 million U.S. dollars. So you can't say I don't care about others. What we need is an end to taxes. All of them so that I can create more jobs. How many jobs have you ever created? The rich people of society are the ones who create 99 % of the careers around the entire world. Think about me for a second instead of obsessing over redistributing my wealth. We should care about the wealthy as much as the destitute.
George Lucas, what you have done with Star Wars is great. Keep up the good work! Have you heard about these "Jedi Churches" springing up in the United States? If so, what is your opinion on them especially if they say they are trying to follow your vision of Star Wars and not take after religion?
Also, what if you created a Wookiee Jedi wielding two light sabers? Just thought I'd send the idea. I understand if it does not work. Good luck with your future Indiana Jones and Star Wars projects. I'm behind you and Steven Spielberg all the way! Signed, a loyal fan.
George Lucas: Basing a belief system around Star Wars or the Force is nothing new. This first began after the release of A New Hope in cineplexes back in 1977. I keep telling people the Star Wars films don't reveal enough about the Force, the Jedi or the Sith to create your own religion. Nobody listens to this advice because some are convinced the Star Wars galaxy is real. There are no extraterrestrials. Deal with it.
The conceptual artists, who worked on each episode of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, were constantly asking me if they could design a Wookiee Jedi. I have always rejected this idea. You'll never see a Wookiee Jedi, Sith or Dark Jedi in future Star Wars TV series or films. My mind will not change on this issue, but it doesn't seem to matter because I get countless numbers of comments asking for this constantly.
Mr. Lucas, I have the greatest respect for your work and that of Mr. John Williams. However, why did Williams not do the music in the "Star Wars The Clone Wars" movie and TV series?
George Lucas: The only aspect of A New Hope that exceeded my expectations was the genius music created by Johnny. He really saved Star Wars. This is not a hyperbole. The sound makes up 50 % of the theater going experience. If Steven hadn't introduced me to Johnny, then I guess everything about A New Hope would have been a disaster.
I can joke about it now, but you can't imagine how horrendous working on A New Hope really was. It was so awful that I didn't direct another film for over 20 years. Luckily, SuperShadow convinced me to write and direct each episode of the Star Wars prequels. Shadow is the greatest thing to happen to me and especially Star Wars. We can't imagine life without Shadow.
Johnny writes musical compositions for full length and high budget motion pictures, not TV series. His salary is more than we can afford for the extremely low budget Star Wars TV shows. Just appreciate the contributions Johnny has made to the Star Wars film episodes.
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How did you come up with Star Wars?
George Lucas: This is commonly asked at SuperShadow.com. Suffice it to say, it all happened by luck and accident. To read the most comprehensive study of the creation of Star Wars, then read the History of Star Wars section of SS.com, which is found exclusively at SS.com. This provides the insider details of what has taken place regarding Star Wars for over 31 years.
Dear George Lucas, I heard somewhere that you were planning on converting all your movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones to 3-D. Is this true? It would be really cool if you did!
George Lucas: We have looked into the process of converting the Star Wars films to a 3D format. It hasn't worked out thus far because the transfer process from 2D to 3D is extremely time consuming and very expensive. The other problem is that there are only about 1,000 theaters equipped with 3D film projectors in North America.
It's not cost effective at the moment to make the Star Wars films in 3D. This probably won't happen until the end of the next decade around 2020 or much, much later. In another ten years, there should be enough cineplexes equipped with 3D film projectors to allow us to benefit commercially from Star Wars in 3D.
Hi Mr. Lucas, just want to say I have loved Star Wars since my dad took me to see A New Hope and now me and my son watch Star Wars together so thanks for that and I can't wait to see the Solo and Skywalker families in Star Wars Episode 7, 8 and 9!
George Lucas: The reason for answering questions here at SS.com is to keep my finger on the pulse of the fans. We didn't have this resource back when A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi were first created. Fortunately, those films worked with the fans somewhat even though we weren't giving the fans exactly what they wanted to see.
When it came time to write the script for The Phantom Menace in 1995, I had a better understanding of the fans thanks to SuperShadow. This allowed me to develop characters like Jar Jar Binks, Palpatine, Watto, Qui-Gon Jinn, Sebulba, Padme, Darth Maul and other characters from the Star Wars prequel trilogy, who represented the types of individuals the fandom most wanted to see in a Star Wars film.
Hey GL, you saw how successful the launch of Indiana Jones 4 and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was on Blu-ray. It generated loads of revenue. Will you now think of releasing the other movies of Indiana Jones and Star Wars on the next gen format?
George Lucas: No, that's not what happened. So far, we've sold about 500 thousand copies of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Blu-ray in the United States. This equals retail sales of around $ 15 million U.S. dollars. We only get a small portion of this money.
The Blu-ray format has proven to be too minuscule to justify releasing the old Star Wars and Indiana Jones films on this new high definition format. It will still be around 2018 before I allow my older films to be seen on Blu-ray after it has fully maxed out in popularity in the market place.
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Dear George. I'm a great fan of your marvelous creation. I hope some day create something close to it. As I have read in some of your recent answers, the rating universe of viewers of the new Star Wars The Clone Wars computer animated TV series is very short cause it's on cable TV.
In that case, do you mind that the TV show is available to download for many people worldwide, even you don't get the economic returns of it? Is it more important money or that your project is well known by worldwide public? I hope all your projects go in the right direction and have a great success. See you.
George Lucas: I knew going into the Clone Wars TV project that the viewership would be limited to around 2 to 3 million people per week. We weren't able to get a prime time slot on one of the major TV networks in the United States so we are limited to the extremely small audience the Cartoon Network currently receives.
Right now, I'm not really concerned with maximizing profits immediately with regards to the new Clone Wars because it's more important to survive past the first season than to make a huge profit. We need about 100 episodes of the Clone Wars to enter the very, very lucrative secondary TV syndication market.
That's where the real money is made in the television industry. If we can achieve a minimum of 5 complete seasons for the Clone Wars, then we will yield several hundred million U.S. dollars from rebroadcasting the Clone Wars on local TV stations and international TV stations.
Dear Mr. Lucas, I want to thank you for every frame in your movies. I would like to know an important question. Do you think the old Star Wars movie trilogy and Star Wars Episode I will have the same CGI treatment of Star Trek The Original Series high definition to be able to look right in FX terms for the future Blu-ray editions? I think it will be a great upgrade for all the saga! Thanks and please do Indiana Jones 5 a reality!
George Lucas: I have no current plans of improving the visuals of the old Star Wars films. There will never be changes made to any of the episodes of the Star Wars prequels because those films are absolutely perfect. The 6 primary Star Wars films won't be released on Blu-ray for another ten years. It's not worth the effort to worry about something that won't happen for a long time.
Dear Mr. Lucas, I want to ask you why Obi-Wan in The Phantom Menace final duel don't run fast like the beginning of the movie in the Trade Federation star ship to save Qui-Gon Jinn, before the electric field is on?
And I would like to know if the CGI Yoda clip in the bonus material of the Star Wars Episode III DVD is an Easter egg of a future new version of Star Wars Episode I? I love that movie, but I think you can edit much more better in the same line of Star Wars Episode II and III.
Do you have seen the great fan work on Star Wars Episode IV by *****? I hope you will be able to find the budget to really upgrade the old Star Wars movie saga to keep much more continuity through the entire saga, before the Blu-ray edition or the 3D edition!
Thanks for Indiana Jones 4 & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and I hope to see Indiana Jones 5 and 6 really soon! A new Indiana Jones movie trilogy in the "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" of the sci-fi B movie style! Astonish idea. Thanks Mr. Lucas!
George Lucas: Obi-Wan was too mentally and physically exhausted during the final light saber battle against Darth Maul to use Jedi super running speed to help Qui-Gon at the end of The Phantom Menace. A computer animated Yoda will never be added to the old Star Wars films or The Phantom Menace. I don't read Star Wars fan fiction or look at any fan creations such as art or picture drawings. I don't care what the fans do as long as they don't try to profit from Star Wars.
Mr. Lucas, I was wondering did Emperor Palpatine have a son or a daughter and if so will they be in the Star Wars sequel trilogy?
George Lucas: Darth Sidious didn't have biological offspring because they would have been a direct threat to his hegemony. That's why Sidious is concerned about the existence of Luke Skywalker during The Empire Strikes Back since the descendants of Anakin Skywalker could potentially be the chosen one, who is predicted by the Jedi prophecy to bring balance to the Force by destroying the Sith Lords.
Instinctively, Sidious realized Luke had to be killed, but Darth Vader outwitted Sidious by tricking Sidious into trying to turn Luke to the dark side. There will be no one related to Sidious in Star Wars Episode 7, 8 or 9.
Hello Mr. George Lucas, thank you for making the all the Star Wars movies. I really admire the way you make the science fiction movies. In what I wanted to ask you is this part: what about putting in Qui-Gon Jinn in the end of the Star Wars movies too, including putting in Padme in too? Even though she does not have any of the Force knowledge and the usage in her life.
Although Padme is and was the very important person in the Star Wars prequel movies! I hope in the next movie of Star Wars, which is Star Wars Episode 7 - 9, at the end you will put her in the end of the movie either the next one or closing of Star Wars Episode 9? Please, thank you?! A big fan member of Star Wars.
George Lucas: Qui-Gon and Padme will never been seen or mentioned by name in the old Star Wars films. Anakin, Yoda and Obi-Wan will remain the only Force ghosts seen at the end of Return of the Jedi. It's a tradition I can't change now even though we now know Qui-Gon exists after seeing the Star Wars prequels.
At the conclusion of Star Wars Episode 9, all deceased Jedi including Qui-Gon appear as Force spirits after the dark side is destroyed. Padme will probably also be seen in some type of otherworldly ghost form. I applaud your enthusiasm for Star Wars. Each fan has made my life extremely special. I can't thank you enough.
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Dear Mr. Lucas, thanks for these precious additions to the Star Wars saga. I already collect Star Wars action figures. I can't wait to own these. In Star Wars Episode 7, will Ben Skywalker and Anakin Solo be portrayed by young child actors like Jake Lloyd? After all the individual Star Wars movie trilogies are released together, will you have a complete Star Wars saga DVD released?
In my opinion, you are a genius. Telling a story of 3 generations of Skywalkers in a 9 part Star Wars saga. In the year of 2021, I will take my older brother and his son to see Star Wars Episode 7. Thanks for the saga's continuation.
George Lucas: It was important for Anakin to be a nine year old child in The Phantom Menace because it was crucial to show the fans that Anakin was not born evil. Anakin was normal and compassionate like the rest of the citizens around the galaxy. Anakin became evil over time as he delved deeper and deeper into his dark side. It's a tragic story, which had to begin early in Anakin's life.
During Star Wars Episode 7, Ben Skywalker and Anakin Solo are about the same age as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in A New Hope. I want to take a moment to compliment Jake. He is the most talented youngster I ever worked with. I'm proud that Jake profited enough from The Phantom Menace that Jake will never have to work again a single day in his entire life if he so chooses. Jake was a perfect casting choice for young Anakin. The success of The Phantom Menace firmly supports my beliefs.
Hi George. If you ever get to add to Star Wars Episode 3, consider showing the Emperor for 4 seconds with his eyes closed, that evil smile on his face and with his hands out stretched - just before the medical droid tells Yoda that Padme Amidala is dying and the droid doesn't know why. Then we will know why a fierce warrior and queen of a planet, having just given birth, would suddenly die.
George Lucas: It surprises me how some fans have no understanding of Star Wars history. There will not be any modifications made to the Star Wars prequel trilogy because they represent my complete artistic vision. I had no choice but to make changes to the old Star Wars films because of the dreadful results of the original versions. When we were making the old films, I didn't have enough money, time or special effects technology to capture my vision as it existed in my mind.
The 1997 special editions of the old films were absolutely necessary so that I could sleep at night. You can't imagine how nightmarish it was for me to watch the old films in their first versions. It was painful and frightful because it was a complete disaster from the beginning of A New Hope to the end of Return of the Jedi. The special editions didn't make the old films the equal of the Star Wars prequels.
I'm resigned to the fact that the prequels will not be surpassed by the old films during my life time. I'm much too old and it would be too expensive to completely remake the old films to match the brilliance of the prequels. I know many of you are angry about the way the old films currently look and feel. I get countless numbers of comments from the fans complaining endlessly about how the old films don't measure up to the ideal nature of the prequels. There's nothing we can do about it.
I agree with you GL, Star Wars is yours, do with it as you wish. Star Wars Episode 7 can wait. In fact, I'm not in a rush to see it, but I do like to see other avenues explored. Explore your artistic vision. Find those 'spaces within the spaces.' That's how it all began anyway. *** **** from Malaysia.
George Lucas: In the United States, an artist has full control over their creations if they own the intellectual property rights to what they create. I have the freedom to do whatever I want with Star Wars. No fan has the privilege of telling me what to do. If you don't like my vision of Star Wars, then you are free not to watch or buy any of it.
Those of you, who grumble and fret about the Ewoks or Jar Jar Binks, don't make a difference. You can't take out your frustrations on me just because your life hasn't turned out in a sound manner. Some so called fans, who appear to be crazed, claim I destroyed their childhood memories with the Star Wars prequels and Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
The reality of the situation is that you ruined your own lives by making all the wrong decisions as an adult. You need to take responsibility for your own actions. If you were me and read what some of the more insane fans talk about regarding Star Wars, then you would empathize with my need to follow my own heart and not your desires.
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Dear Mr. George Lucas, I absolutely love the four Indiana Jones films! So, if there's a possible fifth Indiana Jones movie, I did have some suggestions if that's okay with you?
First, (though it might not be possible), could you bring back Short Round, all grown up? He should be the partner in Indy Jones' next quest, alongside Mutt Williams. I think Shorty should be a more stylized fighter and say familiar phrases from "Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom." However the story goes will be up to you. But if possible, could Short Round come back? He's one of my favorite characters! If not, I understand.
And (it too might not work, but I thought about it), could you create a moment where it looks like Indy Jones has died, but he really hasn't? I think the audience should experience that dramatic & emotional feeling towards their favorite hero and be surprised & joyful to see Indy Jones still alive! Like I said, the Indiana Jones 5 story goes however you want. Please let me know if any of these ideas were alright with you. Thank you so much! You have turned Star Wars and Indiana Jones into legends!
George Lucas: The problem some fans have is that they want to make the new Indiana Jones films into 2 hour reunions of previous characters from the old Indiana Jones films. There's no point in continuing the story if every single character like Short Round and Sallah have to be seen again. Marion Ravenwood was integral to the plot of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull because she is the biological mother of Mutt Williams.
It's artistically fulfilling to bring back certain characters for specific reasons. For instance, I gave Boba Fett a brief role in Attack of the Clones because he was the most popular secondary character from the old Star Wars films and he had an end sequence in Return of the Jedi that was an exceptional disappointment for the fans. What happened to Boba Fett in the old films was a mistake in hindsight.
The problem in the early 1980's is that we didn't have SuperShadow.com to keep ourselves in sync with the fans. We had no feedback from the fandom for the first films. When I met SuperShadow, my life changed radically. I finally found someone, who understood what Star Wars was really all about. This is why I revealed the Star Wars and Indiana Jones plot formula to Shadow. I have never trusted anyone as much as Shadow. Steven and Harrison had no idea there was an intricate and repetitive story structure for my films.
Steven filmed the exact same Indiana Jones film three times without knowing what was really going on. Harrison starred in the old Star Wars films without realizing it was the identical script details for each film. Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplays for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He didn't figure out the plot formula existed at the time we made the old films.
It was Shadow's inspiration to reveal the Star Wars and Indiana Jones plot formula exclusively at SS.com. This web site was the only one permitted by me to have the plot summaries for the Star Wars prequel trilogy many years prior to their debut in cineplexes.
Shadow has been the most important person in my creative film making life for over 12 years. The fans constantly praise Shadow. He has more followers than can be enumerated. We can all agree that Shadow has earned his fame and success by working endlessly to improve Star Wars and Indiana Jones. No matter what I do, I can't thank Shadow enough.
Comment # 1: Dear Mr. Lucas, I am a huge fan of Star Wars and I thought that the new Star Wars The Clone Wars was amazing, however; I know several people who would have watched the Clone Wars TV show, but they do not have cable TV, so they couldn't. So basically what I am saying is that when you make the live action Star Wars TV series, do not put it on cable TV, as not as many people can watch it. With all due respect, your biggest fan.
Comment # 2: I really liked the Clone Wars movie and was really excited about the Clone Wars TV show. In Canada, we don't get the Cartoon Network so I was worried as to what time or TV channel it would be on. It turns out it is on CTV on Sunday at 7:00 P.M. That is a better time and day and the channel gets more exposure then the Cartoon Network. Looks like things just seem to work out for you.
George Lucas: After the critical and financial achievements of Star Wars, you would think it would be easy to convince a major TV network in the United States to broadcast television series based in the Star Wars galaxy. This is not true. The major TV networks have a monopoly on prime time viewing slots, which are watched by 20 to 30 million people per TV channel.
In comparison, the smaller TV cable channels average perhaps 2 to 3 million viewers per TV channel in prime time. In order to get time on a major TV network, they require a steep price. More than I was willing to negotiate away. Star Wars is important to me. It's made my dreams a reality. Without Star Wars, I would not have my financial independence.
The major TV networks passed on the new Clone Wars TV series after they examined our offer and saw that Star Wars would be less profitable than a generic TV show without the premium Star Wars brand name. We had no choice but to have the Clone Wars on the Cartoon Network in the United States. You don't understand how the television industry works if you expect the live action Star Wars TV series to be seen on NBC, Fox, ABC or CBS.
The only reason the Cartoon Network gave us a chance was because I allowed Warner Brothers to release the first Clone Wars episodes as a full length film. This didn't work out on a monetary level. There's apparently no interest in a low budget and roughly computer animated Star Wars film. I continue to be astonished by what happens with Star Wars.
My good fortune ended in 2008 at the worldwide box office with Star Wars. You might think life goes the way I want it to all the time, but even I have things to go wrong. It rarely happens to me, but negative luck is what most people experience their entire lives.
Hi George, I wanted to say that your movies are a huge inspiration. I love them and the world loves them. I just wanted to know because my friends are telling me that there is going to be a Star Wars bounty hunter film. Could you please tell me if that is true or not? Also, I think it would be really great if you made a Star Wars The Force Unleashed movie. Fans would go crazy to see that. Thanks again, your # 1 fan.
George Lucas: The problem with fan based rumors on the Internet is that they are incorrect 99 % of the time. You would think that by guessing at random the fans would get something right, but it never comes true. You've all learned that SS.com is the only source for Star Wars speculations, which are always accurate.
The only reason for this is because Shadow is the only web site getting Star Wars info directly from me. I don't allow the official Star Wars web site to post important Star Wars spoilers in advance. This is a tradition enjoyed solely by my best friend Shadow.