News culture “There’s nothing new,” said George Lucas disappointed with Star Wars 7, and he has good reason for that
When Star Wars: The Force Awakens hit theaters in 2015, it marked the beginning of a new era for one of the most iconic franchises in film history. However, not everyone was enthusiastic about this galactic revival. George Lucas, the visionary creator of the Star Wars saga, expressed his disappointment with the film and said that it brought nothing new. But why did Lucas feel this way and what are the reasons for his dissatisfaction?
Summary
- Failure to innovate
- A different approach to storytelling
- Disney franchise management
- Depth of characters and themes
- The legacy of the prequel
Failure to innovate
George Lucas is known for his constant desire for innovation. When he created Star Wars in 1977, he not only revolutionized special effects, but also redefined the genre of science fiction in cinema. For Lucas, each episode of the saga had to push the boundaries of technology and cinematic storytelling. While The Force Awakens, directed by JJ Abrams, was an undeniable commercial success, it was criticized for its lack of creativity and originality.
A different approach to storytelling
Lucas has always been an ambitious storyteller who wanted to explore complex themes and expand the Star Wars universe. Although the predecessors were controversial, they introduced new planets, new characters and deep political intrigue. In comparison, Lucas viewed The Force Awakens as more of a retrospective than a sequel. The reliance on familiar elements, such as the destruction of a Death Star-type superweapon and the reintroduction of iconic characters, was viewed by Lucas as a narrative step backwards.
Disney franchise management
When Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012, he hoped that the new management would continue to respect and exp and his original vision while bringing in new ideas. However, he expressed frustration with the direction Disney was taking and felt the company was not sufficiently committed to innovation and exploring new avenues.
Depth of characters and themes
Another aspect of Lucas’ disappointment lies in the treatment of the characters and themes. In Lucas’s films, even minor characters had meaningful storylines, and themes of politics, philosophy, and morality were omnipresent. The Force Awakens has been criticized for its lack of thematic depth and for how its characters are sometimes perceived as recreations rather than innovations. The film has been accused of failing to take narrative risks and of basing content on pleasing the existing fan base without exploring deeper questions.
The legacy of the prequel
Although Lucas’ prequels received mixed reactions, they were recognized for their ambition and innovation. Films like The Phantom Menace introduced innovative concepts like the politics of the Galactic Republic and the origins of Darth Vader. In contrast, The Force Awakens seemed to play it safe, returning to tried and tested formulas rather than risking experimentation. For Lucas, this was a lack of artistic boldness.
George Lucas’ disappointment with Star Wars: The Force Awakens is understandable, considering his commitment to innovation and ambitious storytelling. For Lucas, Star Wars has always been more than just a space saga; It was a place for cinematic and narrative experiments. His dissatisfaction lies in the fact that Episode VII has failed to maintain this tradition of daring and creativity, preferring instead to rely on nostalgic and familiar elements. Ultimately, Lucas has every reason to be disappointed because, for him, Star Wars is about pushing the boundaries of what is possible – a spirit that he feels has been somewhat lost in this remake.
As a reminder, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is available on the SVOD platform Disney+.
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