Key Points:
– George Lucas disavowed any intention of making Anakin Skywalker a stand-in for Jesus Christ.
– Lucas intended Anakin's mysterious birth to be symbolic, echoing the myths of heroes like Hercules.
– Despite negative reviews, Lucas remained undeterred to tell his Star Wars story his way.
– Lucas denied introducing characters just for merchandise sales.
George Lucas, the creative mind behind the Star Wars franchise, has spoken about his plans for Anakin Skywalker a.k.a Darth Vader. Notably, Lucas refuted the suggestion that Skywalker was meant to serve as the Jesus Christ equivalent within the Star Wars narrative.
Lucas' Vision for Anakin Skywalker
Lucas kicked off the original Star Wars trilogy with Darth Vader as the arch-villain. However, he chose to use the prequel trilogy to delve into the character's backstory. Here, Anakin Skywalker is presented as a complex character, born of a mother but no father. It was believed that he would bring balance to the Force, earning him the title, ‘the Chosen One.' Although these elements did lead to comparisons with Jesus Christ, Lucas dismissed the idea during a recent interview.
No Christ Analogy with Anakin, says Lucas
Any similarities between Skywalker's and Christ's birth were not inspired by the Christian narrative, according to Lucas. Rather than alluding to a virgin birth, Lucas envisioned Anakin's birth as more of a metaphor for life. He also discounted any notion that his portrayal of Anakin's birth was intended to introduce a new faith or any religious ideas along the lines of those found in Christianity.
Lucas' Inspiration from Mythology
Rather than spiritual texts, Lucas said he had drawn inspiration from mythology when shaping Anakin's narrative. In particular, the mythical figure of Hercules was an influence. The narrative mystery of his birth parallels the legendary hero, further demonstrating that Anakin wasn't designed to mirror Jesus Christ.
Reviews Didn't Influence Star Wars Creation
Unsurprisingly, Lucas proved resilient in the face of negative reviews. When asked about his response to the critical reception of The Phantom Menace, he remarked, “The story is already done, and I want to adhere to the story. The critics I stopped listening to a long time ago.” Hence, Lucas was committed to his storytelling vision, not letting critics' reception change his plans for the prequel trilogy.
Addressing Merchandise Strategizing
While discussing the financial benefits of the Star Wars franchise, Lucas acknowledged the significant revenue from merchandise sales. However, he asserted that he did not plane characters specifically to stimulate merchandise sales. Each Star Wars character, he maintained, was created to serve the narrative and not just to sell toys or merchandise.
To sum up, the legacy of George Lucas and the Star Wars franchise is indeed compelling. Star Wars enthusiasts and general audiences can appreciate the filmmaker's dedication to his story and characters. Despite criticism and controversy, Lucas unravelled a saga that intrigues, inspires, and will continue to resonate with generations to come. Each Star Wars film is now readily available on Disney+, a fitting testament to this enduring phenomenon.
