George Lucas apologizes for calling Disney 'white slavers'

[Jonathan Fairfield]

George Lucas apologizes for calling Disney 'white slavers'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Lucas has apologized for criticizing Disney's handling of "Star Wars" and saying he had sold his characters to "white slavers" in a recent interview with Charlie Rose.

In a statement issued Thursday, Lucas says he misspoke and used a "very inappropriate analogy." It was not clear what the "Star Wars" creator meant by the "white slavers" comment, and Rose did not ask a follow-up question on his PBS show that aired Dec. 24. The charged words nonetheless sparked ire when the interview was posted online Wednesday.

"I rarely go out with statements to clarify my feelings but I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions," said Lucas in his statement.

He sold his company, Lucasfilm, to the Walt Disney Co. in 2012 for $4.06 billion, and the studio charged ahead in developing "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" with director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. Disney has laid plans for two more "Star Wars" films and three anthology films set in the Star Wars universe over the next few years.

Lucas discussed his decision to stay out of the new installments in the hour-long interview with Rose and had criticized Disney's retro, fan-centric approach to "The Force Awakens." The interview was conducted prior to the Dec. 14 premiere of the film, where Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger thanked Lucas, who was in attendance, for his "sheer genius" in creating "Star Wars."

"The Force Awakens" plays homage to Lucas' original trilogy and has garnered largely positive reviews from fans and critics alike. After less than two weeks in theaters, it has already become the eighth highest grossing film of all time globally.

"I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of 'Star Wars' because of my great respect for the company and Bob Iger's leadership," said Lucas in his Thursday statement. "Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise."

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-01

[spidermike007]

What can one even say about this quote? White slavers? When you pocket $4 billion dollars from a company, for future interests in your product, the least you can do is be diplomatic in public. This is a man with a lot of imagination, and a very limited amount of talent, in my book. Star Wars was never particularly good. Imaginative yes. A fairly good production later on, yes. But quality filmmaking? No. Star Trek blows away the entire franchise, in my opinion.

“I sold them to the white slavers that takes these things, and…,” Lucas said before laughing and deciding it better not to finish. (See the interview below. Lucas mentions the “white slavers” around the 50-minute mark)

Apparently he was making some sort of obtuse reference to the need for Disney to turn a profit on their $4 billion investment. He comes across as a real goon.

[bangon04]

Disney himself was called lots of bad names over the years......nothing new here.

Edited January 1, 2016 by bangon04

[Krataiboy]

"The Force Awakens" . . . has garnered largely positive reviews from fans and critics alike

That settles it. I shan't bother.

[connda]

Obviously Disney has deeper pockets and a better legal team than Lucas. He's as quick to apologize as a Thai facing a defamation suit.

Edited January 1, 2016 by connda

[Enoon]

What can one even say about this quote? White slavers? When you pocket $4 billion dollars from a company, for future interests in your product, the least you can do is be diplomatic in public. This is a man with a lot of imagination, and a very limited amount of talent, in my book. Star Wars was never particularly good. Imaginative yes. A fairly good production later on, yes. But quality filmmaking? No. Star Trek blows away the entire franchise, in my opinion.

“I sold them to the white slavers that takes these things, and…,” Lucas said before laughing and deciding it better not to finish. (See the interview below. Lucas mentions the “white slavers” around the 50-minute mark)

Apparently he was making some sort of obtuse reference to the need for Disney to turn a profit on their $4 billion investment. He comes across as a real goon.

A long time ago, I heard a radio interview with George Lucas that discussed the original film.

He was asked if he didn't think that it was a gamble to use a preponderance of actors who, at that time, were relatively unknown in the US and could certainly not be described as "stars".

He replied that he didn't think that 12 year old boys (the target audience) would be concerned about the "star" factor.

They are first class films.......for children.

[sebastion]

He wasnt forced to sell it for 4 billion dollars.

Its like selling a car and being upset the new owner is driving it.

That's his only legacy and he isnt know for much else. Fading away with 4 billion dollars doesnt sound so fun now and he regrets it.

[KunMatt]

What can one even say about this quote? White slavers? When you pocket $4 billion dollars from a company, for future interests in your product, the least you can do is be diplomatic in public. This is a man with a lot of imagination, and a very limited amount of talent, in my book. Star Wars was never particularly good. Imaginative yes. A fairly good production later on, yes. But quality filmmaking? No. Star Trek blows away the entire franchise, in my opinion.

They are completely different genres of films so your statement is purely subjective and many other people prefer Stat Wars over Star Trek. You might as well say that you thought Terminator 2 was a better film than Star Wars.

I like the Star Trek franchise overall but their films have really poor production value and don't appear much better qiality than the TV productions. They also have many more films than Star Wars and never once caught the attention of the world in the same way that "A New Hope" did.