George Lucas doesn’t think the nearly all-white casting of his Star Wars films is problematic.
The 80-year-old director, who wrote and directed the iconic 1977 fantasy-adventure himself, handed over directorial duties for the ensuing original trilogy to other filmmakers. He returned to direct three prequel entries beginning in 1999, which received mixed reviews. Despite this, Lucas‘ films have garnered intergenerational fandom. At the Cannes Film Festival, he addressed critics who have highlighted the lack of racial diversity in both trilogies and spoke candidly about his feelings toward the post-Disney films.
While receiving an honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes, Lucas stated that his intention with Star Wars was inclusivity through varied characters. They would say, ‘It’s all white men,’
said Lucas, per Variety. Most of the people are aliens! The idea is you’re supposed to accept people for what they are, whether they’re big and furry or whether they’re green or whatever. The idea is all people are equal.
Defending Film Diversity
Lucas noted specific characters like Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) as examples of diversification within his saga. In regards to casting criticisms, he remarked, there were a few Tunisians who were dark
, Billy Dee Williams in the 1980 sequel, and Jackson’s character as a top Jedi
.
Droid Discrimination as Allegory
The filmmaker also explored anti-droid discrimination present in the narrative: You can’t just put a woman in pants and expect her to be a hero.
According to him, this was an allegory for universal prejudice: People are always discriminating against something and sooner or later, that’s what’s going to happen
, said Lucas. This thematic element mirrored contemporary forms of bias seen globally.
The Evolution of Female Heroes
Responding to criticism about women’s representation, Lucas delved into his depiction of key female characters like Princess Leia and Padme Amidala. Contributing original story or writing screenplays for most films, he underscored that Leia was instrumental: She’s the head of the rebellion trying to save it with these clowns.
This emphasizes his view on them being more than just faces onscreen but heroic minds capable of leadership regardless of their attire.
A Creative Rift with Disney
Lucas sold Lucasfilm production company to Disney in 2012 for $4.05 billion but openly criticized follow-up films produced under Disney’s umbrella.
I was the one who really knew what Star Wars was
. He elaborated on how many key aspects got lost post-acquisition: When they started other ones after I sold the company
; he continued reflecting how giving up control inevitably led to losing touch with some foundational ideas.
Nostalgia and Legacy
The legacy of Star Wars under Lucas’s vision remains influential. He directed and wrote the first film while contributing fundamentally to divergent narratives thereafter.
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