December 18th 2015 can’t come soon enough. When I’m finally sat in the theatre waiting for the familiar opening of a Star Wars movie with a new John Williams score blasting out all around me I will be so happy. I will be ten years old all over again.
At the same time I’m also dreading December 18th 2015 and here’s why. George Lucas.
It’s pretty inevitable that Star Wars ‘The Force Awakens’ will be good, very good and that’s my problem. Sounds weird right? Well let me explain. You see, I am a huge George Lucas fan, have been ever since I watched Star Wars for the first time back in 1977. Ever since that day I have followed the Star Wars creator and marvelled at everything he has created. Star Wars changed my life for the better and for that I have George Lucas to thank.
I can honestly say that only three people from the movie industry have influenced me positively on a personal level and they are Steven Spielberg, John Williams and George Lucas. It was for that reason I decided to create The Bearded Trio website back in 2009. Call it a thank you to the three for being there and bringing so many good memories into my life. As the site progressed I dug deeper into each of the bearded trio and realised how much each have contributed to the movie industry and especially George Lucas.
Without Mr Lucas we wouldn’t have Star Wars, that fact is obvious. But without the bearded director we wouldn’t have had Pixar, Indiana Jones, Lucasarts and their many classic titles. Even Photoshop came around because of Industrial Light and Magic, again another of George Lucas’ many contributions. THX, Skywalker Sound, Skywalker Ranch to name some others, the man has brought so much to the movie industry.
What about his generosity? Back in 2012 the big news of course was George Lucas selling Lucasfilm to Disney for the grand total of $4.05 Billion. Not a bad little earner. But George decided to give the majority of that money to a charity that focuses on improving education in the US. George Lucas said at the time of the sale:
“FOR 41 YEARS, THE MAJORITY OF MY TIME AND MONEY HAS BEEN PUT INTO THE COMPANY…AS I START A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE, IT IS GRATIFYING THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVOTE MORE TIME AND RESOURCES TO PHILANTHROPY.”
A huge and generous gesture. Any person who gives that much to charity alone should be thanked and highly regarded.
So what’s my problem? Well I felt it was necessary to first give a few brief examples of what George Lucas has done for us on top of creating Star Wars, which frankly would have been enough in my book. So how come he has become so hated? Strong word? Yes, but sadly true. Everyone who has that feeling for George Lucas right now are probably screaming at their devices saying ‘The Prequels!’ or ‘Han shot first!’ I admit they were not everyone’s cup of tea (or coffee.) But that’s not enough to hate him. The internet is full of negativity for George and it saddens me. Nearly every time I post a picture of him on my site or on The Bearded Trio Facebook page, the negative comments begin.
This is why I’m not looking forward to December 18th 2015 as much as I should. Or specifically December 19th and onwards. You see, The Force Awakens is going to be good. J.J. Abrams is going to do a fabulous job. Fans are going to love it and take to the internet to rave about how the practical effects have returned and the CGI was throttled back. Then we will get the inevitable. The George Lucas bashing. I guarantee we will see comments such as ‘You see George, this is how Star Wars should be’ and ‘Thank goodness Star Wars is in the right hands again.’
It will be so frustrating to be in a position where I am pumped for the new Star Wars film and also frustrated to see this inevitable Lucas bashing. So here’s the plan. Lets bring balance to the Force. When you take to the web to tell the world how good The Force Awakens was, please don’t forget to thank the man who made it all possible. Get the message out there. Celebrate the new movie but spend a few minutes to thank George Lucas for all his wonderful contributions throughout the years.
#ThankYouGeorgeLucas
Rob Wainfur created The Bearded Trio website back in 2009 as a thank you to Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and John Williams. Rob can be heard in every episode of Coffee With Kenobi in his ‘Espresso Shot With The Bearded Trio’
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