Lucas stopped directing after Star Wars, saying he found it tedious, and turned instead to producing. "In opting not to direct, Lucas does not signal withdrawal or superiority," wrote David Thomson in A Biographical Dictionary of Film: Third Edition. "Rather, he testifies to the principle that American pictures are produced, not directed." Among the successful films he has produced: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983) and the three Indiana Jones films.
Lucas has also built up Industrial Light & Magic--the premier special effects house in the film industry. Its technology is responsible for the proliferation of high-tech pictures, including the remastered Star Wars trilogy scheduled for release early next year.
Meanwhile, studios are hoping to get on the profitable side of the Force as they court Lucas and his new trilogy for distribution rights. He says he can make the films for about $70 million each--a bargain by today's standards, but a far cry from the $8 million that Fox dished out for the first Star Wars. The entire film franchise has raked in more than $800 million domestically, and that's not counting video or merchandising. The receipts for the next film could be of Jabba proportions.
The still untitled new film, which is expected to debut in 1999, is the first of three prequels to the original series. Like its predecessor, it will feature little-known actors. It is set to begin production in England in 1997. In fact, as you read this, sets are being constructed in warehouses outside London.
Lucas is keeping the details of the story hush-hush--one industry rumor says that Lucas keeps the only copy on his person at all times. But he has said that the new film will focus on the relationship between Luke Skywalker's dad, Anakin, and Jedi master, Ben Kenobi, as well as Anakin's subsequent conversion to the Dark Side, where he becomes Darth Vader.
While we wait for the new trilogy, Fox has announced release dates for the refurbished originals. The "special edition" of Star Wars will hit screens on January 31, The Empire Strikes Back on February 21, and Return of the Jedi on March 7.