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George Lucas to Retire from Blockbusting
Word came down from on high last night that the Maker has decided that, with the notable exception of Indy5, Red Tails will be his last big blockbuster film.  He intends to stick to art house movies where he started, and while it didn’t specifically say, hopefully to TV as well.  His reception in the industry from studios was among the reasons he cited for his retirement.  The man had to foot the bill for Red Tails himself because no studio would touch it, despite the fact that he’s one of the big names, this is an amazingly shot film, and it deals with an important part of history.
Another big factor?  The negative reaction from Star Wars “fans.”
“Why would I make any more when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?”
You can read the rest of the article here.
I don’t know which is worse, getting this news, or reading the reaction from the “fans” on various websites, which pretty much confirm his reasons.  I’ve feared this day would come for a long time.  Now in all honesty, the man’s 67 years old, so eventual retirement was a foregone conclusion.  But to have a legend such as George Lucas bow out for this reason?  Well, I can’t blame him.  He’s only human, after all, and despite giving us the biggest storytelling franchise in HISTORY, the large majority of the world seems to be plenty mad at him about it.  I’ve already read everything from Red Tails being his “white guilt,” to Lucas dedicating himself to full-time alteration of the original trilogy, to “don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”  And this is just the overnight response.  Seriously?
Star Wars changed the world.  I consider myself fortunate to be one of the original fans, growing up with the Saga as it developed from the beginning to the present where we still have the touch of the master’s hand in The Clone Wars and mind-blowing novels like Darth Plagueis.  I take comfort in knowing that I’ve been one of his most vocal supporters, but alas, I am only one voice in the crowd of naysayers.  I’m with Fanboys director Kyle Newman on this one: if you don’t like it, don’t watch it.  If you haven’t enjoyed Star Wars since the 80s, you give it a failing grade.  You’re not a fan.  Quit wasting everyone’s time with your hatred.  Me?  I’m a fan.  I will still defend the man who gave us all of this, Special Editions and all.  I would do so for anyone who has had such a profound and positive effect upon my life.
Best wishes, Mr. Lucas.  Thank you for a lifetime of entertainment, and may the Force be with you.  I hope you someday come to realize that some of us are on your side and appreciate your efforts.
I agree with this post. So very much.
I wouldn’t have been so fascinated with STAR WARS in the first place if not for Anakin’s story. That and ultimately, like the LORD OF THE RINGS movies at the end of the day, STAR WARS is a work of heart (to quote Phil from HERCULES). In other words, Lucas has created a wonderful new world with wonderful characters — and truly, if not for him, cinema would never have been the same in the end. True, the Saga may be flawed, but at the end of the day, both trilogies are works of art that shouldn’t be overlooked.
It really is time for the hate to stop. It’s gone on too long. Lucas did not murder your family when he chose to do things his way. He merely did what was, ultimately, right in the end.
As you stated, Vader Fan, I was expecting this for awhile now. It’s hard to express how sad I am that he’s taking off the directors cap for another Star Wars movie. Honestly, I didn’t see it happening. Still, I always held out a little hope. Why not? I didn’t think I’d ever see Indy 4 and there it was! I know, I know… The kid in me won’t stop hoping for these things.
Regardless about it, I’ve been thinking a great deal of the complaints aimed at the man. I made a comment on this week’s podcast about where I classify Star Wars and explain the fantasy aspect of the original trilogy over to Matt. One of the things I think I might have said off air is that they don’t explain the technology like Lightsabers. That was done later by others and eventually official stuff came out giving an explanation on the construction, materials, etc. Whenever someone wanted specs for this stuff, there were manuals made for just this reason. Stormtrooper armor gone over with fine detail by fans and explained by Lucasfilm because it was demanded. Then we get to Episodes I-III…. In an extension of what every fan asked for; explainations, Lucas puts out a movie that starts to fill in the Force. Uses devices that have purposes to them, and generally trying to show the mechanisms that make the great and powerful OZ work. Then the “fandom” and I used that term loosely starts to complain. Now I understand the Jar-Jar rant, to an extent. The Gungan goofball is good to me, now that I know what he is. Putting him aside, the rest of the stuff that they filled in on the tech aspects of the film that made it ruin the new trilogy is a non-complaint. This is what fandom asked for. The originals were given with the science fantasy bent because the story was more important that the gadgetry around it. It was cool, it was a necessity to own as a toy/prop/whatever. It was also fine just to know you had it. People wanted to be in the know and they got it. So yeah…. the loss of George in the big budge chair sucks big time.
To ladyhadhafang: I absolutely agree! I’ve said repeated on and off the podcast that no one has come into your homes and burn your collection of stuff. You’ve got the story however you want it. Do you want the originals on Blu-Ray without changes? Fine, there are better ways to do it then to complain.
Kudos to you for your post. Hope to read more comments from you in the future!
Oh, thank you! 😀
And this to your comment, so much.
Here’s to wishing George the best.
He followed his vision and stayed true to it, no matter what anyone said. He portrayed his characters and made the movies the best way he could to tell his story.
No one is required to love his work, but the hate? What’s the point, and why?
I wish George a happy retirement and success in his future endeavors.
I agree. Completely.