There are few names in cinema that command as much respect and admiration as George Lucas. Born on May 14, 1944, Lucas has become a legendary figure not just in filmmaking, but in global pop culture. And today, as he celebrates his 81st birthday, it’s the perfect time to look back on the legacy he’s built, the galaxy he’s created, and the stories that have captivated audiences for generations. The Visionary Who Changed Cinema It all began in a galaxy far, far away—or more accurately, in Modesto, California. Lucas had always been a storyteller, even before he had the means to put those stories on screen. His breakthrough came with American Graffiti in 1973, a nostalgic look back at teenage life in the early ’60s. But it was his next project that would change everything. Star Wars debuted in 1977, and what began as a risky space opera with a…
