George Lucas changed Hollywood when he created and directed Star Wars in 1977. The filmmaker told the story of a galaxy far, far away and minted millions due to its imaginative storyline and groundbreaking special effects. He established Lucasfilm and Industry Light and Magic and created more films in the franchise.
After producing two sequels and directing the prequel trilogy, George Lucas sold the franchise to Disney and retired from Star Wars. The franchise has since spawned a sequel trilogy, spinoff films, and multiple TV shows. Lucas recently spoke at Cannes about the state of the franchise and how the new projects that have been lined up.
George Lucas Speaks About New Star Wars Projects
George Lucas’ Star Wars: A New Hope began a pop cultural phenomenon that no one has come close to in almost fifty years. The filmmaker’s sci-fi epic traversed galaxies and introduced a world that was whimsical as well as detailed. Lucas’ film spawned a franchise that has earned billions of dollars and has released multiple films, shows, and other media.
In 2012, the filmmaker sold his production company Lucasfilm to Disney, after which more content has been churned from the franchise. A sequel trilogy by JJ Abrams and live-action TV shows by directors such as Dave Filloni and Jon Favreau have received appreciation of varying degrees. The franchise has also announced multiple new projects.
At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, George Lucas spoke about his decision to leave the franchise and let others build his universe. He said (via El Pais),
I was the one who really knew what Star Wars was, who actually knew this world because there’s a lot to it… Nobody understood the Force. When they started other ones after I sold the company, a lot of the ideas that were in [the original] sort of got lost. But that’s the way it is. You give it up, you give it up… [The new films have] a lot of talent, great ideas, and production. I feel like they come from my children, and sometimes it hurts a little when they grow up and get away from you.
The filmmaker also mentioned that he had made the first Star Wars film for children who had been through the Vietnam War and wanted an escape. He defended the tone of the prequels saying that the fans who grew up after Star Wars could not appreciate a similar approach again.
What Are The New Projects In Line For Star Wars?
The Star Wars films have mainly followed the Skywalkers. While some spinoffs and prequels have focussed on other characters such as Han Solo and a group of Rebels, the story has always been about the Skywalker family. However, since the end of the sequel trilogy, the franchise may turn to other characters in the world.
After The Rise of Skywalker, multiple Star Wars projects were announced by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. While the franchise has stuck to the Disney Plus series till now, the producer announced a slate of films with prominent directors. Filmmakers such as James Mangold, Taika Waititi, and Shawn Levy were announced to be working on films.
The company also announced a feature film spinoff of The Mandalorian, titled The Mandalorian & Grogu, with Jon Favreau returning to direct. A film by Dave Filloni, a film with Daisy Ridley’s Rey returning and being helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and a Rogue Squadron film by Patty Jenkins were all in various stages of development (via THR and SW).
