Just 13 days into its release,Star Wars: The Force Awakensis already a critical and commercial hit, earning over $1.2 billion worldwide and scoring an impressive 95% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While fans around the world are praising directorJ.J. Abrams' new adventure in a galaxy far, far away, most will admit that it isn’t a “perfect” film by any means. Yesterday,Star WarscreatorGeorge Lucashad some interesting things to say about the new movie in an extensive, hour-long interview with Charlie Rose, where he called Disney “white slavers.” The interview has created plenty of controversy since it was released, but nowGeorge Lucasissued a statement toThe Wrap, where he apologized for his remarks.
“I want to clarify my interview on the Charlie Rose Show. It was for the Kennedy Center Honors and conducted prior to the premiere of the film. I misspoke and used a very inappropriate analogy and for that I apologize. I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians ofStar Warsbecause of my great respect for the company andBob Iger’s leadership. Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise. I rarely go out with statements to clarify my feelings but I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions in film, television and the parks. Most of all I’m blown away with the record breaking blockbuster success of the new movie and am very proud ofJ.J. (Abrams)andKathy (Kennedy).”
AfterGeorge Lucassold hisLucasFilmempire to Disney for $4 billion in 2012, it was believed that he wouldn’t be directly involved with the filmmaking process, but he was expected to serve as some sort of consultant. The filmmaker did have stories outlined for a new trilogy,Star Wars: The Force Awakens,Star Wars: Episode VIIIandStar Wars: Episode IX, but he has revealed several times, including the Charlie Rose interview, that Disney wasn’t interested in telling his stories, stating Disney, “wanted to do a retro movie.” The “retro” aspect ofStar Wars: The Force Awakenshas been a point of contention with some fans, who think the blockbuster was too similar to the one that started it all, 1977’sStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
Still,George Lucasdid say earlier this month, a few weeks beforeStar Wars: The Force Awakenshit theaters, that fans will “love” this new adventure. He also said after the premiere that he “really liked” the movie, which is one of the reasons many were so surprised by his comments in the Charlie Rose interview. Regardless of the filmmaker’s thoughts on the movie, or the direction Disney is taking the franchise,George Lucasisn’t directly involved in the process, which some fans see as a blessing, and others do not.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensis expected to crack $700 million domestically over the weekend, only the second movie ever to pass thisbox officemilestone. Barring a sharp decrease in the weeks ahead,Star Wars: The Force Awakenscould break the all-time domestic record of $760.5 million set byAvatar. That record took 34 weeks to amass, whileStar Wars: The Force Awakensis just entering its third weekend. What do you think aboutGeorge Lucas' apology? Chime in with your thoughts, and, in case you missed it, take a look at the filmmaker’s interview below, with the “white slaver” remarks coming at the 2:01 mark.
embed/embed
