Particularly demanding, physically and morally, filming Star Wars left its mark on George Lucas. Disputes with his technical team, massive budget overruns, delays in the shooting schedule, endless post-production…
It is enough to convince the filmmaker to hand over the next part of his trilogy in the making, especially since, by his own admission, the production hardly excites him. He prefers to stay in the producer’s chair, which also logically allows him to review the development of the next film.
So he smartly cast Irwin Kershner for The Empire Strikes Back, released in 1980 and considered by many to be the best film of the original trilogy. For the third and final installment, Return of the Jedi, Lucas is again on the hunt for a director who can rely on and support the vision of the world he’s created. In the end, it will be the obedient and diligent Richard Marquand. But Lucas considered handing the reins to his friend Steven Spielberg.
First missed opportunity…
Why not his old accomplice Steven Spielberg, who just released Raiders of the Lost Ark, the story of which was written by George Lucas?
Hopes of handing over the reins of the film to a friend were short-lived. In 1980, Lucas was actually fined a pretty hefty $250,000 by the All-Powerful Directors Guild of America for not being credited. The Empire will respond Director’s name, Irwin Kershner, at the beginning of the credits.
In fact, the union believed that the mention of “Lucasfilm” (his company was founded in 1971, hence his name) meant that the film was made by the producer, not the director. Lucas pays the fine but, burned by the case, leaves the Directors Guild of America.
Although membership of the organization is not compulsory, it is forbidden for one of its members to make a film outside the conventions established with the majors. In fact, as a member of the DGA, Spielberg could not accept the offer of a friend who had just slammed the door of the Union with a bang.
And even for a second!
In an interview with Access Hollywood (via The GuardianIn 2012, Steven Spielberg said that years after the first Star Wars trilogy, he was still ready to create an opus about his old accomplice in the Spaka opera saga.
“I was wondering about that. I asked George if he would let me direct. About 15 years ago I wanted to do a Star Wars movie and he wouldn’t. I understand why. Star Wars is George’s baby. He knows I have Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones.
That’s not entirely accurate, given the crazy bet the two made back in the days of the first movie. It’s always easy to remake a match years later, but one wonders what a Spielberg-signed Star Wars prequel movie could have done. Instead, Lucas chose to make three films himself. Still, Lucas handed over the reins of his empire by reselling it to Disney. We know he really didn’t appreciate the new Star Wars ops…
Source: Allocine

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.