Star Wars creator George Lucas is defending against ongoing criticisms from some left-leaning critics who label his space saga as “racist” and anti-women.
Lucas expressed his pleasure at receiving the award but admitted he was surprised by the recognition, saying, “Obviously we have a lot of fans, but, in terms of Star Wars and stuff, I don’t make the kind of movies that win awards,” People Magazine reported.
#CannesMoments | Dans quelques heures, George Lucas recevra une Palme d’or d’honneur lors de la Cérémonie de clôture du 77e Festival de Cannes. En attendant, retour sur un moment choisi de sa masterclass ! #Cannes2024
— #CannesMoments | In a few hours’ time, George Lucas… pic.twitter.com/cC4h1NRtr4
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) May 25, 2024
Lucas was also questioned about the claims that his Star Wars films, produced between 1977 and 2005, lack “diversity.” He strongly refuted that assertion.
“They would say, ‘It’s all white men. Most of the people are aliens!” Lucas said, according to Variety.
He also dismissed the notion that he promotes a white supremacist agenda.
“The idea is you’re supposed to accept people for what they are, whether they’re big and furry or whether they’re green or whatever,” he added. “The idea is all people are equal.”
Lucas highlighted that the only characters in his films who face genuine discrimination are the droids, often at the receiving end of insults. He noted that this was intentional and anticipates such treatment would extend to robots as they become more integrated into society.
“That was a way of saying, you know, people are always discriminating against something and sooner or later, that’s what’s going to happen,” he elaborated. “I mean, we’re already starting with AI, saying, ‘Well, we can’t trust those robots.’”
Nonetheless, Lucas defended the presence of diversity in Star Wars.
“In the first one, there were a few Tunisians who were dark,” he pointed out, “and in the second one I had Billy Williams, and the [prequels], which they were also criticizing, I had Sam Jackson. He wasn’t a scoundrel like Lando. He was one of the top Jedi.”
“What do you think Princess Leia was?” he asked incredulously. “She’s the head of the rebellion. She’s the one that’s taking this young kid who doesn’t know anything and this boisterous, I-know-everything guy who can’t do anything and trying to save the rebellion with these clowns.”
Lucas also emphasized the presence of strong female characters in later films, mentioning, “It’s the same thing with Queen Amidala. You can’t just put a woman in pants and expect her to be a hero. They can wear dresses, they can wear whatever they want. It’s their brains and their ability to think and plan and be logistical. That’s what the hero is.”
Lucas has since sold his Star Wars franchise to Disney and is no longer directly involved in the creation of the newer TV series and movies.
