George Lucas has been talking about going off and making smaller movies for years now, but we’ve seen little concrete evidence to make up his statements. But earlier this week, he told Empire:
“I’m moving away from the company, I’m moving away from all my businesses, I’m finishing all my obligations and I’m going to retire to my garage with my saw and hammer and build hobby movies. I’ve always wanted to make movies that were more experimental in nature, and not have to worry about them showing in movie theatres.” Does he really mean it this time? Only time will tell.
But today, we have real some real evidence to back up his statements: Kathleen Kennedy, a producing partner of Steven Spielberg, will become co-chair of Lucasfilm. Lucas will remain as co-chair and CEO of the company.
The two worked together on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Kennedy said she would like to look into “the possibility of [Lucasfilm] making more movies.”
I think we can all agree that the man has earned his retirement.
Go, George, go!
And I think Kathleen Kennedy will bring a great energy to Lucasfilm. I’m looking forward to it.
Very interesting. This could be a major turning point in LFL history. I’m curious to see what develops.
A somewhat strange choice, since Mrs. Kennedy isn’t that much younger than Lucas. Undoubtedly she has the skills and the talent to pull it off, but the actual handing down of the torch will now become Mrs. Kennedy’s job. It will be interesting to see where this is going.
Think it’s a great move. It essentially buys time for George, gives him the freedom he clearly craves but the overview and power to still influence BUT Kathleen wouldn’t give up her position at Kennedy Marshall if she didn’t have the latitude to do what she deems right in her position, and george wouldn’t assign her that control if he didn’t think she was the right person to do it.
Sure, she’s ‘only’ 9 years younger than George, but look back 9 years and Lucas was working like a demon on Revenge of the Sith and planning the Clone wars, Indy 4 and all the other things that have appened since. A fresh leader with new ideas and approaches will be a shot of jiuce for all involved, kickstart LFL and get projects moving again. And what a support network – Spielberg, Frank Marshall, the old Raiders crowd, all at close quarters with GL to give LFL the continued push it needs to develop.
Ultimately someone else will take over, and clearly that long-term person isn’t around right now. But, as Filoni continues to do a great job and others rise to prominence it’s likely we’re already very familiar with the perosn who will take the reigns, but for now this is a bit of a masterstroke.