Why George Lucas Did Not Direct the Third Star Wars Trilogy

George Lucas’s Reluctance to Direct

George Lucas, the visionary behind the iconic Star Wars franchise, has always been reluctant to direct character and story-driven films, a risky venture that could be extremely challenging. The experience of directing the original three Star Wars films was, for him, a source of significant frustration. Producing the first film, A New Hope, was described by Lucas as a "pain in the butt," where the creative process became a drawn-out ordeal. The subsequent films, The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi, while less painful, still left him with a sense of exhaustion and weariness. Ultimately, by the end of the original trilogy, Lucas was thoroughly burnt out, and he had no desire to direct, let alone relive the process for more installments.

The Prequels and Their Challenges

The experience of directing the prequel trilogy, which he created as a filmmaker with a vision for a completely different type of storytelling, had its own set of frustrations. Lucas learned from his experience with the original trilogy that relying on intermediaries to direct his stories could bring its own set of challenges. Despite the fact that the prequels aimed at creating unique and groundbreaking films, they were met with harsh criticism, leaving Lucas further disillusioned and turned off from directing additional Star Wars films.

Key Criticisms: The prequels were subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism, both from the general public and within the industry. Many people felt that the films lacked depth and coherence, compared unfavorably to the original trilogy, and failed to live up to the high standards and expectations set by the early entries in the franchise. These criticisms were as harsh and relentless as the ones that currently beset the sequel trilogy. The emotional and professional toll on George Lucas from this wave of criticism was significant, making it even less likely that he would consider directing another Star Wars film.

The Business Side of Things

Another factor that contributed to Lucas not directing the third Star Wars trilogy was the business deal he had with Disney. In 2012, Lucas sold Lucasfilm and all its properties, including Star Wars, to Disney. This deal included not only the rights to the existing films but also the rights to the entire franchise, including future sequels and prequels. Disney had no plans or requirements for George Lucas to direct any of these films. The company took the strategic decision to continue the franchise with its own interpretation and vision, without the need for, or desire for, Lucas to be involved in the creative direction and artistic leadership of the project.

The Impact of Public Criticism and Threats

The backlash against the prequels was not just limited to harsh reviews. The public criticism extended to personal attacks on the cast members as well. This included actors such as Jake Lloyd, who played the young Anakin Skywalker, andNeil Lucas, who portrayed Jar Jar Binks. Both actors received death threats, which underscored the intensity of the controversy surrounding the prequels. While opinions about the quality and reception of the prequels vary widely, it is reprehensible and completely unjustified for anyone, especially child actors, to face such trivial and violent threats for simply fulfilling their acting roles.

Conclusion: George Lucas’s desire to avoid the rigors of directing character and story-driven films that could bring about similar frustrations and criticisms, combined with the business realities of a deal with Disney, made it clear that he would not be directing the further installments of the Star Wars saga. His experience with the prequels, marked by both creative and commercial challenges, left him with a lasting aversion to returning to the franchise in a directorial capacity. His story-driven approach and the emotional toll of public criticism and threats made it clear that he was not the right fit for the role, leaving the door open for others to take the helm and guide the future of the franchise.