Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are the two prominent Hollywood names that stand out above the rest. Having said that, with their inventive storytelling and huge hits, they have collectively transformed the movie business. Indeed, these visionaries have a profound impact on the cinematic universe, but when it comes to handling their beloved creations post-release, their paths diverge like a fork in the Yellow Brick Road.
While both directors have created some of history’s most iconic flicks, Spielberg and Lucas take very different approaches when it comes to revisiting their earlier work. The former feels that his films should remain true to the era in which they were made, unlike Lucas, who is renowned for updating and improving his works digitally.
Steven Spielberg-George Lucas Dichotomy: What Sets These Directors Apart
When evaluating the best directors of profitable blockbusters, it is difficult to ignore Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. The two filmmakers became good friends after collaborating on film franchises such as Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones.
But one major difference between the two came to light when Lucas suggested Spielberg digitally update E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial following the success of the former’s updated Star Wars films. Spielberg decided to follow Lucas’ advice, but the results were not what he had expected.
And then Spielberg, 77, decided to never again heed Lucas’ suggestion as the former elucidated in a Collider interview:
“So, there’s a really bad version of E.T., where I took my cue from Star Wars and all of the digital enhancements for A New Hope that George put in. I went ahead because the marketing at Universal thought we needed something to get an audience back in to see the movie, so I did a few touch-ups in the film.”
Meanwhile, in another interview, he did express his “regret” for altering his 1982 science fiction flick. Back in 2011, Spielberg said the following in a candid chat with Entertainment Weekly.
“I did alter E.T., and I do regret making those alterations. When the movie comes out on Blu-ray, either we will package both versions for the same price — nobody has to pay any more money for the rejiggered version — or we will just bite the bullet and come out with the 1982 version.”
Moreover, the Jaws director added:
“My philosophy now is that every single movie is a signpost of its time, and it should stand for that.”
Spielberg was of the view that films should not be altered to fit modern standards but should be preserved as a reflection of the era in which they were created.
Reflecting on the Day Steven Spielberg Met George Lucas for the First Time
Steven Spielberg has maintained a close friendship and creative partnership with George Lucas for many years. The two first came into contact in 1967 when Lucas accepted an invitation to screen his short film Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB at a film festival (via The Bearded Trio).
The director of Empire of the Sun reminisced about their first meeting with the outlet, saying:
“I realised that there was an entire generation coming out of NYU, USC and UCLA. THX-1138, made me jealous to the marrow of my bones. I was eighteen years old and had directed fifteen short films by that time.”
Spielberg, in fact, was the one who persuaded Lucas that Star Wars would likely achieve unprecedented commercial success in addition to having a significant cultural impact. Sadly, neither the early footage nor the ideas Lucas presented during his film pitch convinced the people around him. He explained (via Yahoo):
“I showed it to all of my friends early on, but it was mostly filled with stock footage of old war movies and all kinds of stuff. They saw it and said, ‘Poor George. What were you thinking?’ Steven [Spielberg] had jumped up, and said, ‘This is going to be the biggest movie of all time.’ Everybody in the room looked up at Steven and said, ‘Poor Steven.’”
Together, they brought their creative energies to bear on film franchises such as Indiana Jones, which went on to become a mainstay of American popular culture.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial can be rented on Apple TV, while Star Wars films and TV shows are streaming on Disney+.
