The scene at a Red Tails press conference turned Lucas-Con moments after Lucas stormed off.
New York—Despite being in town for a press junket to promote his upcoming Tuskegee Airmen film, “Red Tails” starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., filmmaking icon George Lucas was asked endlessly about his other films, particularly the six “Star Wars” movies. So after the seventh or eighth question about Princess Leia talking about memories of her mother in “Return of the Jedi” despite her mother dying during childbirth at the end of “Revenge of the Sith,” Lucas apparently had finally had enough of trying to talk about his future World War II film and let loose.
“I took a lot of crap for Jar Jar Binks,” Lucas said, referring to what is quite possibly the worst character in the history of American cinema, as he stood up from the panel table he’d been sitting behind for 45 minutes. “But let me say here once and for all: He was the best damn character in any of the six movies. He was by far my favorite. He was funny, he was kind and moral and he ended up playing a pivotal role in setting the course of the Emperor’s actions in motion. If not for him, the story would’ve gone nowhere. Nowhere.”
Lucas went on a tirade for the next 10 minutes or so saying he never liked the Boba Fett character, and had “absolutely no plans” on making him and his father, Jango, such an important part of the saga, but caved to pressure from other producers on the film after the popularity of the bounty hunter grew in the years after “Return of the Jedi” was released in 1983. “But, whatever,” Lucas said.
Lucas also said how he would have loved to make the original three “Star Wars” films with the technology available now, where he could film everything on a soundstage since filming in the Tunisian desert was so difficult, and he “was so sick and tired of listening to Harrison” (Ford) gripe about the heat there and the frozen conditions while filming “The Empire Strikes Back” on a Norwegian glacier.
“And for all the fanboys out there who’re gonna pitch a fit about this when they read this on some post in a chat room,” Lucas said, “I’m sorry. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to lose any sleep tonight when I fly back to California on my private jet and I’m at home counting my money at, what’s it called? Oh, yeah, Skywalker Ranch. Lucas out.” Lucas then let the microphone that he’d been using fall to the floor and walked off stage.
Besides Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., “Red Tails” also features Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard, Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston and Method Man. A release date is sill pending.
You know George and I would probably have less of a strained relationship if just gave me a bank account to put my money in for him directly. I have bought EVERY VHS, DVD, and soon to be BLU-Ray version of the Holy Series released.
Thank you for your comment. Indeed, it would save a great deal of time and effort if the general population could just have their paychecks direct-deposited into the Skywalker Ranch Credit Union. One would think Mr. Lucas wouldn’t want to give his critics ammunition with such a bold endeavor, allowing them to imply he would take monetary advantage of his fans. But in the end the money all ends up with him anyway.
You are now informed. Go and do likewise.
It was once thought, by minds greater than exist on this site, that Jar Jar was a metaphor for Donald Duck. In Mr. Lucas’ grand scheme, Donald would be the “great leader” who doesn’t quite live up to the billing(!) Who can not see the irony there.? Or is it just me.
Earl
Thank you for your comment. However, we are unaware of any minds that exist outside this site that are greater than ours. We certainly would have liked to come up with that duck metaphor, though. Perhaps we’ll be able to get a TDQ Investigates piece out of it…
You are now informed. Go and do likewise.
Very interesting report. I tried googling for George’s soliloquy on this occasion hoping to hear this in it’s entirety but no luck. Any idea where I might find this Mr. DiMaio? thanks
Thank you for your question. I don’t know where else you could find this soliloquy on the net. Our own digital copy was inexplicably saved on our Playstation account, but unfortunately, it was recently lost during their “downtime.” We won’t make that mistake again, we can assure you. If we can find video of the tirade, we’ll be sure and post it.
You are now informed. Go and do likewise.
Um I don’t think the pivotal role he played was the problem, and I actually could have even dealt with the way he looked, (not that I’m saying anything new here but) its just that damn voice!! Oh and he obviously is losing sleep over this. All the money in the world doesn’t mean shit if your credibility is squashed.
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I know this is an old article but I had to comment:
Is George Lucas out of touch with the George Lucas who made the original series? I really think he has lost all connection with the story he created. The bad writing: constant use of our own culture vernaculars made famous by other tv characters like, “are you brain dead?” and “Ex-Squeeze me”. Its amazing no one sued him. And Jar-Jar. Gawd, how can George ever defend that character… The saving moment was the intro of R2-D2. When he was out on the ship repairing the hyperdrive. I almost yelled out in the theatre, “Go R2!!” George come back! Maybe you should spend some time out in that Tunisian desert and get your perspective back…then you can re-do the first 3 so we can all forget your mistakes…we’ll forgive you….
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This is a fake article. Never happened. Lucas did not answer to studios for the prequels. He licensed the finished product for distribution.
Or did he?
“You are now informed. Go and do likewise.”
This is a fake article. Never happened.
Lucas was never under pressure from any producer or studio post-ANH.
Brian DiMaio, sorry, but this is full of shit!
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
“You are now informed. Go and do likewise.”
Fake as pam boobs
Pam from the office? I think they are real.
They’re real, and they’re spectacular.
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