George Lucas is the subject of a lengthy profile in the New York Times today, and gives them the full story on his ‘retirement.’
“I’m retiring,” Lucas said. “I’m moving away from the business, from the company, from all this kind of stuff.”
He was careful to leave himself an out clause for a fifth “Indiana Jones” film. But otherwise, “Red Tails” will be the last blockbuster Lucas makes. “Once this is finished, he’s done everything he’s ever wanted to do,” says Rick McCallum, who has been producing Lucas’s films for more than 20 years. “He will have completed his task as a man and a filmmaker.”
The profile focuses on Red Tails, of course, but also features a bit of frank talk on Star Wars. Of the special editions, prequels and backlash, and why we’re not going to see any more:
Lucas seized control of his movies from the studios only to discover that the fanboys could still give him script notes. “Why would I make any more,” Lucas says of the “Star Wars” movies, “when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?”
It also covers the Indy 4 refrigerator, girlfriend Mellody Hobson, ‘personal’ films and all things “corny and wonderful.” It’s worth a read.
I somehow doubt I’ll enjoy his art films. I did not understand the ones he did in the 70’s. But good for him for enjoying his retirement his way.
And Red Tails looks amazing. I love me a good period drama.
I would, personally, love to see him return to smaller films like THX-1138 and American Graffiti. They’re both wonderful entries into his body of work, and it would be interesting to see if he can still swing that kind of thing after all these years.
It would be even more interesting if he attempted to make these new films in much the same way that made those earlier ones; smaller budgets, smaller casts, practical effects…challenge himself by going back to his roots.
@ artsy films: I’ll believe it when I see it. ;-) But the tagline for the first of them should be clear: A billion years in the making, and it’s coming to your galaxy next summer.
:-P