Summary
This 2005Rolling Stoneinterview with George Lucas is chock-full of fascinating information aboutStar Wars, the prequel trilogy in particular. Although George Lucas soldStar Warsto Disney in 2012, he has remained an integral part of the franchise. In fact, Lucas' perspective is still seen as one of the most important, if not the single most important, when it comes to understanding the meanings behind variousStar Warsconcepts and the trajectory of the movies and shows.
Moreover, astheStar Warstimelinehas expanded, and audiences have grown increasingly conflicted about the direction of the franchise, George Lucas' contributions have become even more hailed and beloved. The prequels are a prime example of this, as they were first highly criticized but are now considered some ofStar Wars’best movies. Interestingly, thisRolling Stoneinterview addresses much of that criticism head on and reveals brilliant insights regarding why Lucas made the decisions he did.
When Did Disney Buy Star Wars?
The Star Wars franchise has continued to grow since Disney purchased Lucasfilm, so here is a complete timeline of when Disney bought Star Wars.
10George Lucas Didn’t Anticipate Making Sequels
Lucas Saw The Star Wars Saga As ‘Complete’
There has been considerable controversy about George Lucas selling the rights toStar Warsto Disney. Many have felt this was the downfall ofStar Wars, and this transition has been blamed for nearly all complaints audiences have had, although for the sequel trilogy in particular. However, this 2005 interview suggests George didn’t intend to make a sequel trilogy.
Yes,George Lucas had plans for the sequels, and initially,Lucas had a 12-movie plan. However, the language of this nearly 20-year-old interview suggests the sequels were not on his mind after completingRevenge of the Sith. In the interview, Lucas said,“I accomplished what I set out to accomplish.”While it could be argued this is in reference to the prequels only, Lucas also referred to reaching"the finish line,“and theRolling Stonearticle referred to theStar WarsSaga being complete.
This was shocking to me, asit seemed completely contrary to the arguments about the sequels. In fact, the chief complaint regarding Disney’sStar Warssequel trilogy was that it was poorly planned, which made the movies feel disconnected. While I agree that the sequels have some inconsistencies and could have been more cohesive, it’s worth mentioning that, although the original trilogy is absolutely beloved, it’s obvious Lucas didn’t have an exact plan going in—after all, that’s how siblings ended up kissing.
Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
Darth Vader has become an absolutely iconic villain since he was introduced inA New Hope, and he’s considered one ofStar Wars’most powerful Sith. This makes George Lucas' descriptions of the character in this 2005 interview all the more shocking. In addition to saying,“Ultimately, he’s just a pathetic guy who’s had a very sad life,“Lucas explained that Vader gets pushed around even by the governors.
Specifically, Lucas said the governors know Palpatine is the true leader and"they don’t worry about his goon.“This is a rather surprising way to describe Darth Vader, although it is true. In the original trilogy, despite being incredibly powerful and intimidating, Vader is beholden to Palpatine and effectively serves him in the role of Sith apprentice. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say Vader is pathetic or a goon, personally, Lucas' description is accurate, especially in the original trilogy.
Vader is beholden to Palpatine and effectively serves him in the role of Sith apprentice.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Despite Lucas viewing Vader as Palpatine’s"flunky,” he did describe Darth Vader as the sole focus ofStar Wars’prequel trilogy. Lucas said,“I made a series of movies that was about one thing: Darth Vader.“This rings true, especially because the arc of the original trilogy is largely Vader’s redemption, and the prequel trilogy is almost entirely about him. This is also interesting in light of the changes toStar Warsmovies and TV showsover the years, particularly as the Skywalker Saga has ended, and new stories are being told.
At least for George Lucas’Star Wars, Darth Vader was a real focus. This is also interesting in light of Lucas' explanation of Vader’s role. In the interview, Lucas explained that Luke Skywalker reflected a brand-new, more exciting potential for Palpatine because he had planned for Anakin to be much more powerful, but Obi-Wan’s near murder of Darth Vader left him so damaged he fell short. Lucas elaborated:
From then on, he wasn’t as strong as the Emperor – he was like Darth Maul or Count Dooku. He wasn’t what he was supposed to become. But the son could become that.
This suggests Darth Vader was intended to be even more powerful and, notably, seems to imply thatAnakin was more powerful than Vader.
Hayden Christensen Didn’t Want To Act Like A Teen
The prequel trilogy received significant criticism for the dialogue, which many found heavy-handed. I’ve personally always liked the prequels dialogue, even the lines that are most highly criticized (I think Anakin’s speech about bringing peace, freedom, justice, and security to his new Empire is top-tierStar Wars, for example). However, it seems evenAnakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen had issues with some of the writing.
According to Lucas, Christensen didn’t want to be"this whiny kid.”In response, Lucas said he told Christensen,“Well, you are. You gotta be a whiny teenager.”Lucas further explained:
I said, ‘You gotta be a petulant young Jedi. You’re not going to be the guy you thought you’d be when you signed your contract.’ Hayden was grateful for this last movie, where he actually got to be Darth Vader.
This is interesting, as it suggests that Christensen anticipated the issuesStar Warsaudiences would have with his portrayal. Sadly, Christensen was right, as his performance received significant backlash. However, Christensen is happily now receiving the love he always deserved in the fandom.
6People Thought A Young Anakin Would Ruin The Franchise
This Is One Of Many Arguments About The Franchise Being Ruined
Star Warshas frequently been accused of ‘ruining’ the franchise. Currently,Star Wars: The Acolyteis being blamed for ruining the franchise, with viewers claiming that the show is ruining Anakin Skywalker’s legacy. However, even some ofStar Wars’best TV shows, such asThe Mandalorian, have been accused of ruiningStar Wars.
I’m So Tired Of People Thinking The Mandalorian Is Ruined After Season 3
The Mandalorian is a legendary project for the Star Wars franchise, and I’m tired of people acting like it isn’t after season 3’s mixed reviews.
It seems this is nothing new, as, in his 2005 interview, George Lucas revealed that many told him he would sink the franchise if he introduced Anakin as a 9-year-old boy inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Specifically, Lucas recalled people saying,“That’s insane, you’re going to destroy the whole franchise.“In a way, this is validating, because it confirms what I suspected: arguments thatStar Warsis being ruined by particular movies or shows bear almost no weight.
Arguments thatStar Warsis being ruined by particular movies or shows bear almost no weight.
5Midi-Chlorians Are A Metaphor
Midi-Chlorians Are About The Symbiosis Of Life
Alongside the dialogue,the prequels were heavily criticized for the introduction of midi-chlorians, the microscopic organisms that represent one’s potential in the Force. InThe Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn recognized that Anakin was strong with the Force, but to get an exact measurement, he took a blood sample to test Anakin’s midi-chlorian count. Evidently, Anakin had an even higher count than Master Yoda, who is one ofStar Wars’most powerful Jedi.
Interestingly, George Lucas described the controversial concept as a metaphor in his 2005 interview, explaining,”…it’s a metaphor for a symbiotic relationship that allows life to exist.“However, like Anakin being a child inThe Phantom Menace, Lucas was warned that this would destroy the franchise. Lucas explained, “Everybody said to drop the stuff about the midichlorians, it makes it too confusing,” adding that many thought it would be"a giant turkey.”
4Audiences Wanted Anakin To Be A “Demon Kid”
With George Lucas resolute in his decision to make Anakin Skywalker a child inThe Phantom Menace, audiences insisted that Anakin should be a child who already seemed like the Sith Lord he would eventually become. However, that couldn’t be further from how Anakin was portrayed in the prequel trilogy’s first movie. Instead,Anakin was a sweet, selfless, compassionate child who couldn’t seem further from Darth Vader.
This was very intentional on Lucas' part, though, and it’s so much better than Anakin being a"demon kid,“as many wanted him to be. Lucas explained:
But the story is not about a guy who was born a monster – it’s about a good boy who was loving and had exceptional powers, but how that eventually corrupted him….
Ultimately, I’m so glad this was the choice Lucas made. It would have been much less compelling if Anakin had just seemed evil all along. With Lucas' decision to make Anakin an innocent child, the message ofStar Warsbecame so much more profound, as Anakin proved that even the most pure-hearted people can become twisted and evil if subjected to the right circumstances.
3Anakin’s Problem Was Confusing Compassionate Love With Possessive Love
George Lucas Addressed The Jedi Rule Against Attachments In 2005
The Jedi rule against attachments has long been controversial in the franchise, especially because many see this restriction as the reason Anakin ultimately turned away from the Jedi. In truth, the rule does seem a bit archaic, particularly given that characters likeKanan Jarrus and even Luke Skywalker have since proven that a Jedi can have attachments without falling to the dark side. However, George Lucas addressed this perfectly nearly 20 years ago.
In his 2005Rolling Stoneinterview, Lucas explained that Anakin’s issue was specifically that"he confused possessive love with compassionate love.“This makes perfect sense, and it addresses the issues I’ve had with the rule against attachments. For the Jedi, love isn’t the problem, possession and control are. Anakin even says this to Padmé inStar Wars: Episode II -Attack of the Clones, yet it seems the prequel trilogy Jedi forgot this distinction.
For the Jedi, love isn’t the problem, possession and control are.
2Vader’s Suit Is A Metaphor
As Anakin Lost His Humanity, He Became Like A Droid
Like midi-chlorians, Darth Vader’s suit is really a metaphor. Of course, Anakin has a physical need for the suit, as Obi-Wan left him very nearly dead on Mustafar, and Anakin required the suit just to breathe. However, in addition to that need,the suit is meant to represent Anakin’s loss of humanity. Lucas explained,“It’s a metaphor: As your humanness is cut away, you become more like a programmed droid.”
Darth Vader’s suit is really a metaphor.
This makes perfect sense, as it suggests Anakin’s loss of humanity began inAttack of the Clones. In that movie, Anakin lost his hand to Count Dooku in a lightsaber fight, and, like Luke, he was given a robotic hand. In light of Anakin’s brutal massacre of the Tusken Raiders inAttack of the Clones, this was certainly an appropriate time for this concept to be implemented.
1Force Choke And Anakin’s Loss Of Limbs Are Metaphors
George Lucas Drew Direct Inspiration From Buddhism
It’s clear that George Lucas was very focused on symbolism in the prequel trilogy, as he also identified Anakin’s loss of limbs and his frequent use of Force choke as metaphorical. In response to theRolling Stoneinterviewer asking whether Vader choked others because he himself couldn’t breathe, Lucas explained:
Well, it’s a bigger metaphor than that. Strangulation is always a theme. Life is breath. It’s a powerful idea in Buddhism: Cutting off life is cutting off breath. The road to the Force is through the breath.
Regarding Anakin’s loss of all his flesh limbs by the end ofRevenge of the Sith, Lucas elaborated,“Impotency is cutting off hands and legs and arms. That’s a theme too.”
Truly, this 2005Rolling Stoneinterview is absolutely full of incredible insights from George Lucas. Interestingly, Lucas' responses in this interview address many of the questions and criticisms thatStar Warsmovies, the prequels especially, continue to receive. Perhaps for this reason, this interview struck me as especially crucial forStar Warsaudiences to understand—it certainly taught me quite a bit.
