Yousa likey?
We”re just over a week away from the release of the film that will likely shatter all box office records on earth and in all galaxies, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
But what does the creator behind this iconic franchise think of this latest installment? The first in a new series of films that he neither directed or produced?
First, let us note that the woman that Lucas left in charge of his franchise, Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, confirmed that Lucas” least beloved character, one Jar Jar Binks, would absolutely not be included in “The Force Awakens.”
“Jar Jar is definitely not in the movie,” Kennedy said to an enthusiastic group of reporters at this weekend”s press event for the film.
Well, no one”s particularly surprised, but it was interesting to see that there was nothing that evoked the prequels at a press day flush with merchandise and branding.
Perhaps this is the confusing message they didn't want to deliver?
So, what did Lucas make of the the Binks-less film?
Well, Kennedy said that he “really liked!” it in an interview with THR (via IGN).
Sounds good! But wait, there's more…
Here's what Lucas himself had to say in an interview with Vulture.
“I think the fans are going to love it. It”s very much the kind of movie they”ve been looking for.”
Yousa don't sound convinced, George…
To be fair, it would be difficult for anyone in his position to remain entirely objective. And he may not quite know if he likes it or not, entirely. He likes what he made! So a clear lens of these new films is a great deal to ask of him.
As to whether he ultimately had any creative involvement in the final product, Lucas told The Washington Post not so much.
“There is no such thing as working over someone”s shoulder. You”re either the dictator or you”re not. And to do that would never work, so I said ‘I”m going to get divorced.”…I knew that I couldn”t be involved. All I”d do is make them miserable. I”d make myself miserable. It would probably ruin a vision – J.J. [Abrams] has a vision, and it”s his vision.
“I gotta go to the wedding,” Lucas added, referring to the premiere of “The Force Awakens.”
“My ex will be there, my new wife will be there, but I”m going to have to take a very deep breath and be a good person and sit through it and just enjoy the moment, because it is what it is and it”s a conscious decision that I made.”
It”s not necessarily an enthused endorsement, more of a reserved acknowledgement that fans were perhaps looking for something different than what he”d served up with Episodes 1-3.
What do you make of Lucas” remarks?
In any event, we”ll all be able to decide for ourselves when the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens on December 18th.