Key Takeaways:
– George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, refused to compromise his characters and story for the sake of marketing.
– Despite critics’ responses and fan expectations, Lucas stood firm on his original vision, maintaining the integrity of his narrative.
– The leading characters Anakin and Padmé retained their originally envisioned young age, despite potential marketability being greater with older characters.
From a far-off galaxy to the big screens, George Lucas’s Star Wars franchise has been captivating audiences since 1977. The iconic trio Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford were instrumental in a new wave of sci-fi entertainment starting from Episode IV: A New Hope. After a considerable gap of 22 years, Lucas revisited the Star Wars universe with the prequel trilogy.
The Journey of the Prequel Trilogy
Lucas, who had waited until CGI technology advanced enough to match his vision, took charge as the writer and director of the prequel trilogy. Beginning with Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999, the prequel series introduced a new cast. Notably, the inclusion of names like Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, and Ewan McGregor failed to recreate the magic of the original series. The audience reception was lukewarm, with the film earning mixed reviews.
In response to the criticism and query about adjusting to audience expectations, Lucas firmly stood by his original narrative. He claimed that he did not make any alterations to increase marketability, pointing out that the audience’s heightened expectations were unrealistic.
The trilogy’s storyline and character ages played a significant role in Lucas’s refusal to change his vision. He was critiqued for the lead characters’ age, but he did not waver.
Lucas’s Unyielding Vision for Padmé and Anakin
Anakin and Padmé, portrayed by Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman respectively, were central to the prequel storyline. However, the age of these characters was far from what the audience had anticipated. This became one factor contributing to the lukewarm reception of the prequel.
Speaking to Empire in 1999, Lucas justified his decision to maintain the characters’ youth as part of his narrative strategy. He commented, “I knew if I’d made Anakin 15 instead of 9, then it would have been more marketable. If I’d made the Queen 18 instead of 14, then it would have been more marketable. But that isn’t the story. It’s just not what’s right for the movie, not what’s right for the market.”
Lucas’s steadfastness towards his original concept highlights his creative integrity. He chose to prioritize authenticity over monetary gain.
The Prequel Trilogy’s Performance
Despite not achieving the critical acclaim of the original classics, the prequel trilogy proved to be a box office success. The prequel series pulled in $2.526 billion with a budget of $343 million, surpassing the original series, which grossed $1.798 billion on a $76.5 million budget.
Although the trilogy may have not met critics’ standards or fan expectations, Lucas kept true to his vision. His storytelling philosophy, prioritizing authenticity over appeasement, is a testament to his devotion to his creation. Both the original and prequel Star Wars trilogies are currently streaming on Disney+.
In retrospect, Lucas’s determination to stay true to his artistic vision in the face of expectations and criticism serves as a reminder of the importance of authenticity in the creative process. Undeterred by the siren song of marketability, Lucas set a commendable industry example of the immutability of one’s original vision.
