Polarizing filmmaker George Lucas may have created the Star Wars universe, but he has had absolutely zero involvement in the production of The Force Awakens. That being said, respect must be paid to the man who created the galaxy far, far away, and as such Lucas has already had a chance to see the film ahead of general audiences – a privilege extended to a very select group of people at this point. However, that begs one very important question: how does the man who created Star Wars feel about the latest installment in the saga.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, J.J. Abrams seems to have done Lucas proud. When asked about the matter, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy simply remarked, “he really liked it.” Terse? Definitely. That doesn’t change the fact that this is potentially a surefire sign that The Force Awakens will, at the very least, live up to the spirit of the original saga.
Lucas’ seal of approval on the new Star Wars film is made all the more impressive by the fact that he has not exactly had a glowing relationship with the franchise in recent years. His work on the prequels took an immaculate trilogy and added some installments that were at best enjoyable, and at worst an embarrassment. The director has spoken out regarding the creative differences that caused him to leave the franchise, as well as his disdain for the overall fan outrage that could accompany his involvement with Star Wars going forward.
There ultimately comes a time where all things must be passed down to a new generation. That notion is essentially the narrative crux of The Force Awakens' entire plot. Those associated with the upcoming film’s production have praised J.J. Abrams handling of the series as a whole, and knowing that even George Lucas enjoyed himself while watching The Force Awakens should stand out as a really good sign. Check out the final trailer for the film below to see the way J.J. Abrams has taken the reigns on the franchise.
I think the bigger takeaway from this whole story is the fact that, if you disliked George Lucas because of his handling of the prequel trilogy, then you probably now hate his guts for having seen the Star Wars long before you. Allay your anger, my friends because we have less than two weeks to go; Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18.
