J.J. Abrams Responds To George Lucas’ Disappointment with ‘The Force Awakens’
We recently learned that George Lucas was disappointed in The Force Awakens, due to Disney Cheif Bob Iger’s recently released book, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Giving up something creative and allowing another person or entity to take control has to be especially difficult. However, J.J. Abrams has handled the disappointment with grace.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Abrams responded to the criticism, saying:
“I’ve only had gratitude for George. It’s probably a complicated thing for him. To decide you’re going to sell this thing that you created, that was your baby, to anyone — that must be more complicated than signing a check and smiling about it. But he’s been incredibly gracious. He’s been super-generous.”
Abrams went on, discussing how he has consulted with Lucas about how this Star Wars saga would end, taking in Lucas’ input:
“He came over, we had a meeting when we first started working on this [new movie], talked through a ton of different ideas and stories, and heard from him what was important. And we’ve done nothing but try and adhere to some fundamental aspects of the story.”
“It wasn’t a difficult thing to try and do. And again, he was really gracious. So I’m only grateful. Do I wish that (Force Awakens) had been his favorite movie of all time? Yes, I only wanted to do well by him. I would just say that I have nothing but profound respect for the guy and am still truly, even more so now, working on these movies in awe of what he created.”
Lucas, having been the creator and source of Star Wars should still be consulted, even though he doesn’t have control, because, on some level it is good to try and allow him to also be satisfied with its ending.
What do you think about Lucas’ involvement with Star Wars and how this saga wraps up? Should he continue to be involved and consulted? Let us know in the comments below.
This is post P-90x. I’m saying I watched the videos. I’m not saying I participated. Born in my mom’s basement, I’ve stayed there to embody the stereotype. One day I will rise up… to the main floor of the house.
