The Maker Has Moved On: George Lucas is Over Star Wars

Recently, in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, George Lucas, 81, the creator of the beloved Star Wars franchise admitted that he’s moved on, saying:

“Disney took it over and they gave it their vision. That’s what happens… Of course I’ve moved past it. I mean, I’ve got a life. I’m building a museum. A museum is harder than making movies.”

Like many others, I was once one of those guys who held on to hope that perhaps George would return in a more significant role over Star Wars. Perhaps as a creative advisor with some actual teeth. Thirteen years have passed since he sold Lucasfilm to Disney and I believe I have also moved on. I’ve at least recalibrated my expectations, but this official news from George himself was still a bit of a jab to my soul. Sure, it’s easy to be cynical and say that he’s made his money, over 4 billion dollars worth, so why should we care what he does? He’s got the right to happiness and a life just as much as anyone else has, but there’s just something about it when the creator of one of your favorite fictional worlds makes it clear he’s washed his hands of it. 

I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to be associated with things like The Acolyte, The Last Jedi, or The High Republic.  However, to be fair, George had a hand in the Star Wars: Holiday Special, but later tried to erase it from existence.

Now that’s not to say it’s all been terrible. For myself there were bright spots like most of Star Wars Rebels, the Clone Wars finale, the first 2 seasons of The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, Rogue One, and Andor. On the gaming side, they did quite well with Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor. Battlefront II was rocky at the start, but they did eventually fix it.

But boy, when it got terrible, it was loud and terrible. Still looking at you Acolyte.

Of course, George does have a wing dedicated to Star Wars in his museum. 1 out of 33 wings. He urges fans to understand that the museum’s purpose is not for Star Wars, but a museum to visual story telling and other similar mediums. Star Wars just happens to be part of it. The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, CA is expected to open in 2026.

“It’s one gallery out of 33. And I did it grudgingly… I didn’t want people to come to the museum and say, ‘Where’s the Star Wars?’”

For myself, I wish George well. He’s built something that was historic and influenced many things that came after. He definitely influenced my life for sure. For that I am thankful and I can only hope and pray that those who continue to hold the reins at Lucasfilm can learn from their past mistakes and build something better. Though, I’m not going to hold my breath. But perhaps there will arise another Lucas or Spielberg that will rise up and create their own far reaching imaginative world.

One can only hope. 

*****