Key Takeaways:
– George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, faced immense backlash for his decision to digitally enhance the original 1977 trilogy.
– Lucas believes he is the only one who truly understands the world of Star Wars and says Disney failed to uphold his vision.
– The new Star Wars show “The Acolyte” debuted with a disappointingly low audience score of 14%, suggesting a need for significant change within the franchise.
Despite encountering massive criticism and judgement, George Lucas, the mastermind behind Star Wars, weathered the storm. His stalwart attitude and faith in his creation helped him overcome negativity and led to the franchise becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry icon.
Star Wars 1977: The Transformation That Stunned Fans
In 1977, the first-ever live-action Star Wars movie was released. This movie paved the path for protagonist Luke Skywalker's heroic journey against a galactic rebellion. This original film, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, was adored by fans globally and achieved massive success.
But, in an unexpected move, Lucas decided to digitally enhance the film years after its release, giving it a fresh, updated look. However, he faced a wave of harsh criticism. To The Hollywood Reporter, Lucas explained that the revamped version faced negative reactions, as some fans believed it tarnished the original concept. Despite this, Lucas remained firm in his belief that every creator should have the right to make their vision a reality. Despite the backlash, Lucasfilm proceeded to release a definitive collection containing the digitally enhanced original trilogy in 1993, which quickly turned into a prized collector's item.
The Disney Takeover of Star Wars Led to Controversial Changes
Disney purchased Lucasfilm for an astonishing $4 billion in 2012 and gained the rights to produce new Star Wars films. The entertainment giant wasted little time and released its trilogy, starting with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015.
However, this new trilogy received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Even Lucas, the original creator, expressed his reservations, feeling that Disney misunderstood the essence of Star Wars.
In a conversation, Lucas acutely mentioned, “I was the one who really knew what Star Wars was… The Force, for example, nobody understood the Force.” He elaborated, after letting go of the company, many original ideas got lost in the new iterations. Lucas' remarks echoed many fans' criticisms regarding Disney's different interpretation of “the Force.”
The Current State of Star Wars
Currently, Star Wars is going through a turbulent phase. The recent Disney+ show, Star Wars: The Acolyte, has been met with widespread disappointment and a mere 14% audience approval rating. This underscores the pressing need for a major revamp or a new direction for the franchise.
Despite the hurdles, Star Wars still retains a massive fanbase worldwide. Through tumultuous times, the hope remains for a future project that captures the magic that made Star Wars a household name. For now, fans can enjoy the existing Star Wars universe streaming on Disney+.
George Lucas's journey offers a reminder of the highs and lows of turning a vision into reality. While Lucas's courage to stand by his convictions has been questioned, his commitment to his creation is laudable. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the beloved Star Wars franchise.
