The Myths and Reality of Star Wars: An Analysis of George Lucas' Claims

George Lucas, the creator of iconic franchises such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones, has often been criticized for his storytelling and business practices regarding Star Wars. One of the most contentious issues revolves around his claims about the Star Wars saga. In this article, we will analyze these claims and provide a more accurate timeline of events.

George Lucas' Claims: A Mythological Approach?

Lucas has frequently stated that the Star Wars saga is based on mythology and filtered through Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces rather than more straightforward sources like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. According to his narrative, he had a grand plan for the saga, which included details about the characters and their development across multiple films.

One specific claim is that when Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker that his father is dead, it was because Lucas had not yet decided that Darth Vader was Luke’s father. This creates an intriguing mystery that has piqued the interest of fans for years.

Was Star Wars a Coherent Story?

Critics argue that if Lucas had already written extensive planning and had his vision fully fleshed out, the Star Wars films would have been more coherent and better delivered. A major criticism is that the initial success of the original trilogy led Lucas to make rushed decisions, such as the creation of The Empire Strikes Back, a more mature-focused film, followed by The Return of the Jedi, which catered to younger audiences with increased toy marketing.

According to witnesses who were children when Raiders of the Lost Ark (RoJ) came out in 1981, it was indeed a spectacular toy release. The success of RoJ's toys piqued Lucas' interest in the potential of toy sales for his franchise, leading him to focus more on this aspect.

The Oral and Written Saga

The original Star Wars (also known as IV - A New Hope) was not titled "Episode IV" in the initial release. Additionally, Lucas did not mention plans for more movies in the original film. The idea of the Star Wars saga being a pre-planned epic was purely Lucas’ perception. When The Empire Strikes Back was released, there were already plans for additional sequels as well as prequels, totaling nine films in total.

The original script of Star Wars was titled The Adventures of Anikin Starkiller as Taken from the Journal of Whills Book one: Saga one: The Star Wars. This manuscript contained a wealth of ideas and world-building but was drastically simplified into the final product. Lucas had initially intended this to be the final film, expecting it to be the end of the saga. However, its success led to the production of additional films.

For the prequels, Lucas revisited the discarded ideas and character names, trying to develop a new trilogy focused on the origins of Darth Vader. Despite his claims, the prequels were written as they went along, reflecting a lack of comprehensive planning.

Conclusion

The reality of Star Wars history is more nuanced than Lucas' claims. While mythology played a role in the storytelling, the franchise's evolution was driven by a mix of creative inspiration and commercial considerations. Both the original trilogy and the prequels were shaped by the success of the previous films and an emphasis on toy marketing. Understanding the true nature of the saga's development can help fans appreciate the complex interplay of art and business in the creation of this iconic space opera.