Post by Halan on May 16, 2005 10:19:18 GMT
George Lucas: Respect! Why doesn't Obi-Wan kill Count Dooku? Why does Obi-Wan kill General Grevious with a blaster? Why are you making Obi-Wan so lame?
George Lucas: I don’t really understand your criticism. It’s not fair to me really. Obi-Wan defeated Darth Maul. That shows how much respect I have for Obi-Wan. The saga is about Anakin so it is only natural that Anakin would take out Dooku. Anakin is getting revenge against Dooku for what happened in Attack of the Clones. I had Obi-Wan destroy Grievous with a blaster because I thought it was a unique way to end the duel. It looks like Grievous is going to win, but Obi-Wan gets lucky again and saves his hide. For these reasons, I don’t believe I have short changed Obi-Wan. I believe the opposite is true.
Mr. Lucas, I am a huge fan of the Star Wars empire you have built. My question is it seems there is a shift in movie-making style from Episodes IV, V & VI. In those older movies everything seems more real like dirt and the sand on Tatooine. Where in the newer trilogy everything seems so clean. Was this done on purpose?
George Lucas: Yes, I intentionally wanted the two trilogies to have a distinct difference in design. The first trilogy shows the galaxy in chaos and getting old and worn out. The Emperor uses all the galaxy’s resources for his military so everything else is old. The prequel trilogy represents the Republic at its height of power. Everything is new and shiny. Not much money is invested in the military (until the Clone Wars) so there is plenty of money to go around for everyone.
Mr. Lucas, is it true you were not satisfied with the other directors work in the classic trilogy? If you had directed Episode 5 and 6 yourself, what changes would you have made to the original work?
George Lucas: It’s true that I’m unhappy with the directorial efforts of Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand (God rest his soul). Kersh was terrible at staying on budget. He nearly broke me with his inability to keep on schedule. He would shoot scenes over and over again for no real reason. The fiftieth take was no better than the first one so I didn’t see the point at needlessly spending so much money on additional takes.
Richard did the best he could, but I don’t believe Return of the Jedi measures up to the genius of A New Hope. Richard’s handle on the acting is stale. He doesn’t know how to bring the best out of the actors like I do. I’m really an actor’s director. That is why Alec Guinness was nominated for an acting Oscar for A New Hope.
I can’t specifically tell you how the old sequels would have been different if I had directed them, but I really do wish I could go back in time and direct the sequels myself. I really did a disservice to the fans by opting to allow others to direct Star Wars. I just hope the fans can forgive me.
Mr. Lucas, what will you direct next? Maybe a drama flick? Or will you retire for a while?
George Lucas: I’m going to direct again after Revenge of the Sith, but I probably will take a break. I’ve saved up a lot of money earned from the prequels to fund the quirky, little esoteric films I hope to make in the future. I can’t tell you specifically what the subjects of these films will be, but I can tell you that they will be nothing as commercial as Star Wars. These will be modest, low-budget avant garde in nature. I don’t expect these films to be well received at the box office. These films may have to go straight to DVD if I can’t get 20th Century Fox to distribute them in theaters. I think I have earned the right to fail. Star Wars has given me this right.
Hi, George. Thank you for the inspiring stories in Star Wars. You're an inspiration to us all, just as the writers and special effect artists are too. But which is your best film in the old trilogy and which do you like best, Episode 1 or 2? Also, was it hard to come up with The Phantom Menace, as it had to introduce a whole new cast of characters?
George Lucas: Great, wonderful questions. These are the kinds of queries I love to be asked. Well, as for the old films, the only one I directed was A New Hope and since A New Hope made more money than The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, I would have to say that A New Hope is the most popular with the fans.
It’s difficult to pick a favorite between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Both are spectacular although Attack of the Clones didn’t perform very well at the box office. I guess I like each film the same.
The Phantom Menace was a gamble. I was using a new set of characters. If I had been making films about Luke, Leia and Han, I would have felt more comfortable. But when you are starting with new characters and actors, you never know what the fans are going to think. The Phantom Menace was a monstrous box-office success. It is the most successful of the Star Wars films and for good reasons. The Phantom Menace has Jar Jar Binks. Nothing else needs to be said.
During the Obi-Wan/Anakin duel on Mustafar, will a music score like Duel of the fates or the Imperial March be played? Thanks for creating the Star Wars saga.
George Lucas: I asked Johnny to come up with something exciting for the main duel. I didn’t want a rehash of the Duel of the Fates so that theme is not heard in the final duel. I think Johnny has really created something unique. Some of the old themes are sprinkled in for good measure, but most of the music for the duel is original.
Mr. Lucas, recently I got the original Star Wars trilogy on DVD for Christmas, which is without a doubt my favorite present I received and I watch the trilogy quite a lot. Though of the things that were added/ replaced, there is one that I really dislike, no loathe, actually I'm horrified by it! Why was the Ewok music at the end of Return of the Jedi replaced with orchestral!? I am probably one of the only fans who love the Ewoks more than the any of the other characters and I believe the Ewoks got jipped. Also, is it true that Anakin meets his fate in the Obi-Wan fight because Obi-Wan uses the Force to push the lava onto Anakin? I've heard this rumor and I am curious if it is true.
George Lucas: I give the changes I make to the old films a lot of thought. Shadow has never liked the Ewok Celebration song. He says it is quite lame. Shadow only gives his opinion when it can really make a difference. I thought Shadow had a point so I asked Johnny to create something new for the end of Return of the Jedi. Shadow loves the new music and so do most fans. Chalk up another brilliant idea by Shadow.
Mr. Lucas, thank you for making the GREATEST MOVIES EVER. One of my most favorite characters is Yoda. Please tell me that we will get to see him use all his power. I think that if it is the last time we get to see Yoda in action, it should be in a spectacular way. I know he has to lose to Sidious, but I hope he gives the Emperor a fight he'll never forget. Also, will we ever find out Yoda's past and how he rose up to the rank of head of the Jedi Council? Thanks again Mr. Lucas, you are the BEST.
George Lucas: I believe Yoda gives Sidious a great fight. Almost more than Sidious can handle. You will enjoy the Yoda and Sidious fight sequence. I’m not sure when or if I will ever explain everything about Yoda. If the live-action Star Wars TV series is a success, we might cover the early days of Yoda in season 3 or 4. It just depends. I don’t want to reveal too much information about Yoda at this time.
George, I just need to now one thing. How long will we have to wait for Revenge of the Sith to be released on DVD and VHS? As I recall I waited almost a full year for the first two prequels to be released. It don't matter either way. Thanks, S. Huffman, Ohio.
George Lucas: It took a long time for The Phantom Menace to reach DVD. That decision was left up by the marketing department. It’s not something I want to have control over. However, Attack of the Clones came out on VHS and DVD the same year the film was in theaters so there wasn’t that much of a wait. The difficulty you have if you release the films on DVD too quickly is that it might hurt the initial box-office gross. If people know the film will be out on VHS and DVD in a few months, then they might just decide to avoid the crowds and wait for the VHS and DVD.
Mr. Lucas, in the teaser for Episode 3, I noticed that in the final duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin, Anakin is using a blue-bladed light saber. I think a blue-bladed light saber vs. a blue-bladed light saber is sort of weird? Why not keep the traditional red blade vs. blue blade?
George Lucas: The key to this question is a matter of timing. Anakin doesn’t have a chance to create his Sith light saber during Revenge of the Sith. I guess he could have used Dooku’s or one of Sidious’ light sabers, but it didn’t work out that way.
isn't it amazing how he is traveling from canne to london but he still has time for good old twat features
George Lucas: I don’t really understand your criticism. It’s not fair to me really. Obi-Wan defeated Darth Maul. That shows how much respect I have for Obi-Wan. The saga is about Anakin so it is only natural that Anakin would take out Dooku. Anakin is getting revenge against Dooku for what happened in Attack of the Clones. I had Obi-Wan destroy Grievous with a blaster because I thought it was a unique way to end the duel. It looks like Grievous is going to win, but Obi-Wan gets lucky again and saves his hide. For these reasons, I don’t believe I have short changed Obi-Wan. I believe the opposite is true.
Mr. Lucas, I am a huge fan of the Star Wars empire you have built. My question is it seems there is a shift in movie-making style from Episodes IV, V & VI. In those older movies everything seems more real like dirt and the sand on Tatooine. Where in the newer trilogy everything seems so clean. Was this done on purpose?
George Lucas: Yes, I intentionally wanted the two trilogies to have a distinct difference in design. The first trilogy shows the galaxy in chaos and getting old and worn out. The Emperor uses all the galaxy’s resources for his military so everything else is old. The prequel trilogy represents the Republic at its height of power. Everything is new and shiny. Not much money is invested in the military (until the Clone Wars) so there is plenty of money to go around for everyone.
Mr. Lucas, is it true you were not satisfied with the other directors work in the classic trilogy? If you had directed Episode 5 and 6 yourself, what changes would you have made to the original work?
George Lucas: It’s true that I’m unhappy with the directorial efforts of Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand (God rest his soul). Kersh was terrible at staying on budget. He nearly broke me with his inability to keep on schedule. He would shoot scenes over and over again for no real reason. The fiftieth take was no better than the first one so I didn’t see the point at needlessly spending so much money on additional takes.
Richard did the best he could, but I don’t believe Return of the Jedi measures up to the genius of A New Hope. Richard’s handle on the acting is stale. He doesn’t know how to bring the best out of the actors like I do. I’m really an actor’s director. That is why Alec Guinness was nominated for an acting Oscar for A New Hope.
I can’t specifically tell you how the old sequels would have been different if I had directed them, but I really do wish I could go back in time and direct the sequels myself. I really did a disservice to the fans by opting to allow others to direct Star Wars. I just hope the fans can forgive me.
Mr. Lucas, what will you direct next? Maybe a drama flick? Or will you retire for a while?
George Lucas: I’m going to direct again after Revenge of the Sith, but I probably will take a break. I’ve saved up a lot of money earned from the prequels to fund the quirky, little esoteric films I hope to make in the future. I can’t tell you specifically what the subjects of these films will be, but I can tell you that they will be nothing as commercial as Star Wars. These will be modest, low-budget avant garde in nature. I don’t expect these films to be well received at the box office. These films may have to go straight to DVD if I can’t get 20th Century Fox to distribute them in theaters. I think I have earned the right to fail. Star Wars has given me this right.
Hi, George. Thank you for the inspiring stories in Star Wars. You're an inspiration to us all, just as the writers and special effect artists are too. But which is your best film in the old trilogy and which do you like best, Episode 1 or 2? Also, was it hard to come up with The Phantom Menace, as it had to introduce a whole new cast of characters?
George Lucas: Great, wonderful questions. These are the kinds of queries I love to be asked. Well, as for the old films, the only one I directed was A New Hope and since A New Hope made more money than The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, I would have to say that A New Hope is the most popular with the fans.
It’s difficult to pick a favorite between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Both are spectacular although Attack of the Clones didn’t perform very well at the box office. I guess I like each film the same.
The Phantom Menace was a gamble. I was using a new set of characters. If I had been making films about Luke, Leia and Han, I would have felt more comfortable. But when you are starting with new characters and actors, you never know what the fans are going to think. The Phantom Menace was a monstrous box-office success. It is the most successful of the Star Wars films and for good reasons. The Phantom Menace has Jar Jar Binks. Nothing else needs to be said.
During the Obi-Wan/Anakin duel on Mustafar, will a music score like Duel of the fates or the Imperial March be played? Thanks for creating the Star Wars saga.
George Lucas: I asked Johnny to come up with something exciting for the main duel. I didn’t want a rehash of the Duel of the Fates so that theme is not heard in the final duel. I think Johnny has really created something unique. Some of the old themes are sprinkled in for good measure, but most of the music for the duel is original.
Mr. Lucas, recently I got the original Star Wars trilogy on DVD for Christmas, which is without a doubt my favorite present I received and I watch the trilogy quite a lot. Though of the things that were added/ replaced, there is one that I really dislike, no loathe, actually I'm horrified by it! Why was the Ewok music at the end of Return of the Jedi replaced with orchestral!? I am probably one of the only fans who love the Ewoks more than the any of the other characters and I believe the Ewoks got jipped. Also, is it true that Anakin meets his fate in the Obi-Wan fight because Obi-Wan uses the Force to push the lava onto Anakin? I've heard this rumor and I am curious if it is true.
George Lucas: I give the changes I make to the old films a lot of thought. Shadow has never liked the Ewok Celebration song. He says it is quite lame. Shadow only gives his opinion when it can really make a difference. I thought Shadow had a point so I asked Johnny to create something new for the end of Return of the Jedi. Shadow loves the new music and so do most fans. Chalk up another brilliant idea by Shadow.
Mr. Lucas, thank you for making the GREATEST MOVIES EVER. One of my most favorite characters is Yoda. Please tell me that we will get to see him use all his power. I think that if it is the last time we get to see Yoda in action, it should be in a spectacular way. I know he has to lose to Sidious, but I hope he gives the Emperor a fight he'll never forget. Also, will we ever find out Yoda's past and how he rose up to the rank of head of the Jedi Council? Thanks again Mr. Lucas, you are the BEST.
George Lucas: I believe Yoda gives Sidious a great fight. Almost more than Sidious can handle. You will enjoy the Yoda and Sidious fight sequence. I’m not sure when or if I will ever explain everything about Yoda. If the live-action Star Wars TV series is a success, we might cover the early days of Yoda in season 3 or 4. It just depends. I don’t want to reveal too much information about Yoda at this time.
George, I just need to now one thing. How long will we have to wait for Revenge of the Sith to be released on DVD and VHS? As I recall I waited almost a full year for the first two prequels to be released. It don't matter either way. Thanks, S. Huffman, Ohio.
George Lucas: It took a long time for The Phantom Menace to reach DVD. That decision was left up by the marketing department. It’s not something I want to have control over. However, Attack of the Clones came out on VHS and DVD the same year the film was in theaters so there wasn’t that much of a wait. The difficulty you have if you release the films on DVD too quickly is that it might hurt the initial box-office gross. If people know the film will be out on VHS and DVD in a few months, then they might just decide to avoid the crowds and wait for the VHS and DVD.
Mr. Lucas, in the teaser for Episode 3, I noticed that in the final duel between Obi-Wan and Anakin, Anakin is using a blue-bladed light saber. I think a blue-bladed light saber vs. a blue-bladed light saber is sort of weird? Why not keep the traditional red blade vs. blue blade?
George Lucas: The key to this question is a matter of timing. Anakin doesn’t have a chance to create his Sith light saber during Revenge of the Sith. I guess he could have used Dooku’s or one of Sidious’ light sabers, but it didn’t work out that way.
isn't it amazing how he is traveling from canne to london but he still has time for good old twat features
