George Lucas: Building an Empire
Not really a long, long time ago in our galaxy… one of the most celebrated franchises of all-time was born. That birth not only entertained millions worldwide, but it also helped to define how an entire generation of fans viewed the age-old morality tale of good vs. evil. The most miraculous aspect of Star Wars and its success is that most of it can be attributed to a single trailblazer, George Lucas.
The Maker
George Lucas was born in Modesto, California on May 14th, 1944. From an early age he was obsessed with cars. This love affair with speed was quickly vanquished when an auto accident nearly took his life.
Director
He soon found a new outlet and that was filmmaking. The director became enamored with experimental moviemaking. He showed a flair for the visual and could create amazing imagery. Lucas attended the famed USC Film School and cultivated his craft there.
Phenomenon
He would write, produce, and direct three pictures in the 1970s. One of those pictures was Star Wars and it was a cultural phenomenon from the day it opened in May 1977. The story, special effects, and ingenuity thrilled moviegoers. It was the first chapter of the legendary Original Trilogy.
Cherished
It is hard to find a piece of our pop culture that is more universally cherished than Star Wars, especially that Original Trilogy. It has not been a smooth ride for the franchise, however. It has disappointed and angered its enthusiastic fanbase. Despite all the controversy Star Wars has survived.
Criticism
What is baffling about George Lucas and his Star Wars brainchild is how enthusiasts loved Star Wars but had animosity towards its creator. Many felt the creator hurt the saga by constantly needing to improve it with the Special Editions, and constant changes to effects and small story moments. The director would consistently update the Original Trilogy over the years.
Another big divide is the Prequel Trilogy. Devotees waited years to see the stories that would shed some light on the OG trilogies backstory. The level of disappointment many had was intense when they finally saw the films.
2012
Lucas sold Star Wars, and his company, Lucasfilm, to Disney in 2012. Many at the time were happy that Star Wars was with new creatives. The Prequels and Special Editions were still fresh in people’s minds. Disney released its first Star Wars project in 2015, The Force Awakens. It was a massive hit, but criticism started to arise quickly. Many felt the Disney projects were just carbon copies of the Original Trilogy. Fans were vocal online about the Disney projects being disrespectful to the history of Star Wars. How the films treated the legacy characters was a major controversy.
Reexamined
George Lucas was beloved when Star Wars first hit the screen. The Original Trilogy was worshipped by loyal fans across the globe. The pressure to keep the fanatics happy was massive and seemed impossible. The Prequels were highly criticized, but after the Disney films released, people are looking at the Prequels differently. People now appreciate the creativity and ingenuity the creator put into his Saga.
One Of A Kind
Lucas is a genius filmmaker and storyteller. His creations, especially Star Wars, have changed cinema forever. He has always been a risktaker and a maverick. Sometimes his genius alienated his fanbase. Sometimes his vision was too big for everyone to understand. Regardless of how you feel about his choices, nobody can argue that Geoge Lucas is one of the most important creators of all time.
- Adam C. Better
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