George Lucas, the creator of the “Star Wars” saga, has been largely reticent about sharing his opinions on Disney’s iteration of the Star Wars movies. However, new light has been shed on his reaction to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” by one of the film’s writers, Tony Gilroy.
A Stamp of Approval from the Maker Himself
In a recent interview with Pete Hammond on the Deadline video series “Behind the Lens“, Gilroy revealed his conversation with Lucas after he saw “Rogue One”. The conversation, which lasted about 45 minutes, was the only time Gilroy had ever spoken to Lucas.
“George Lucas called me after Rogue, I had a 45-minute conversation with him after he saw Rogue, and that’s the only time I’ve ever spoken to him. He loved it. He really did. He had a lot of things to say that I… It was like a call from the president,” Gilroy recounted.
Although Gilroy did not share any specific comments from Lucas, this disclosure does confirm Lucas’ appreciation for “Rogue One”. The analogy of a “call from the president” perfectly captures the significance of this endorsement, as any Star Wars writer would deeply value the validation from the creator of the franchise.
Decoding Lucas’ Love for “Rogue One”
Gilroy’s revelation gives insight into Lucas’ feelings about “Rogue One”, but the reasons behind his admiration are open to interpretation. Several factors may have contributed to Lucas’ appreciation for the film.
Rogue One” stands out from other Star Wars movies in terms of tone and style. Known for his appreciation of creativity and inventiveness, Lucas may have been drawn to these unique elements. His main criticism of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was its resemblance to a retro movie that did not bring anything new to the saga. On the other hand, “Rogue One”, while containing familiar Star Wars elements, balanced them with a grittier tone and fresh ideas.
Moreover, Lucas may have viewed “Rogue One” as a tribute to his own Star Wars movies. Disney’s approach to the sequel trilogy diverged significantly from Lucas’ vision. However, “Rogue One” expanded the timeline between “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope. Additionally, Lucas’ penchant for experimenting with new filmmaking technology may have resonated with the use of CGI in “Rogue One” to recreate Tarkin’s face, a technique Lucas had contemplated using for “Revenge of the Sith“.
While Lucas’ detailed opinions remain largely undisclosed, the revelation of his appreciation for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” offers fans a glimpse into his perspective on the contemporary Star Wars movies. Further interviews may reveal more about Lucas’ views on these films, providing deeper insights into the Star Wars universe from the perspective of its creator.
