Star Wars: George Lucas apologises for calling Disney ‘white slavers’, criticising The Force Awakens
Star Wars creator George Lucas has apologised for calling Disney “white slavers” and criticising the latest film, The Force Awakens, in an interview.
Lucas had appeared upset in the interview at what Disney — which paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm in 2012 — did with the seventh instalment in the franchise.
He likened the sale to a painful break-up and complained the franchise had become too commercial in the interview with journalist Charlie Rose, part of which aired in November but which was broadcast in full last week.
“These are my kids. All the Star Wars films. I loved them, I created them, I’m very intimately involved in them,” the 71-year-old said.
He added, trailing off: “I sold them to the white slavers that take these things and…”
Lucas has since issued an apology, after the comments caused controversy.
“I want to clarify my interview on the Charlie Rose Show. It was for the Kennedy Center Honors and conducted prior to the premiere of the film,” he said, referring to honours he had received — seen as the highest recognition of cultural achievement in the United States.
“I misspoke and used a very inappropriate analogy and for that I apologise.
“I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of Star Wars because of my great respect for the company and (chief executive) Bob Iger’s leadership.
“Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise.”
He said he “rarely” clarified his feelings through statements but felt it was “important to make it clear I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions”.
It seems Lucas need not worry — The Force Awakens has shattered several box office records since it hit cinemas worldwide just over two weeks ago.
It has since become Disney’s highest grossing film of all time in terms of US domestic box office at $US629 million, surpassing Marvel superhero flick The Avengers from 2012, which took in $US623.4 million.
Globally, The Force Awakens has so far earned $US1.29 billion, sending it past Disney’s animated blockbuster Frozen for the number eight spot on the all-time box office list.
In his apology statement, Lucas said he was “blown away with the record-breaking blockbuster success of the new movie”, also giving mention to director J.J. Abrams and current Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.