The Lucasfilm founder was criticized for calling Disney 'white slavers' and deeming the J.J. Abrams version too 'retro.'
- Jan 2, 2016
AceShowbiz - George Lucas realized that he made a mistake when taking a jab at J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and Disney. The filmmaker has apologized and clarified the statements he made on "Charlie Rose Show" which first aired on Christmas Day and landed online earlier this week.
Lucas first offended the studio when calling the execs "white slavers." He said about selling the franchise to Walt Disney for $4 billion, "These are my kids. All the Star Wars films. I love them, I created them, I'm very intimately involved in them. And I sold them to the white slavers that take these things and..." He didn't finish his sentences and trailed off.
In addition to hinting on how the latest movie diverted away from his versions, Lucas said, "They wanted to do a retro movie. I don't like that. Every movie, I worked very hard to make them different, make them completely different with different planets, different spaceships, to make it new."
The 71-year-old is now making amends, releasing an apology via Disney. He said, "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." The Kennedy Center Honors was taped on December 6 but was broadcast on December 29, after "The Force Awakens" was released in theaters on December 17.
He continued, "I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of Star Wars because of my great respect for the company and Bob 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 of JJ [Abrams] and Kathy [Kennedy]."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has already raked in $1 billion-plus worldwide.
