George Lucas apparently still offers suggestions about the Jedi

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

When George Lucas parted ways with the STAR WARS franchise, he compared the separation to a divorce, telling The Washington Post that "There is no such thing as working over someone’s shoulder. You’re either the dictator or you’re not. And to do that would never work, so I said ‘I’m going to get divorced.’ . . . I knew that I couldn’t be involved. All I’d do is make them miserable. I’d make myself miserable. It would probably ruin a vision." That's fair, but it seems that Lucas can't quite stay away from his creation.

When asked whether George Lucas still offered input in regards to future STAR WARS stories, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy told Entertainment Weekly that he doesn't, except when it comes to the Jedi.

Not really. But he’ll whisper in my ear every now and then. Usually it’s something specific or important to him about Jedi training. Things like that.

As for whether George Lucas' little nuggets of Jedi wisdom are embraced, who knows, but as Disney wound up not using the stories he laid out for the sequels in favour of going in their own direction, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't exactly take Lucas word as gospel anymore. Even so, despite the occasional Jedi suggestion, Kennedy believes that George Lucas is "starting to settle into this and just be a fan," adding that "it’s taken a while. It’s hard to let go, after 40 years. That’s a lot of expectation and things he thought a lot about. Suddenly that next generation, that whole thematic idea he came up with, is in process." I can't imagine that Lucas will ever truly let go of the franchise he created, nor should he feel as though he has to, but I can't imagine that it's easy to see the fates of your characters play out beyond your control. Fans have certainly had disagreements over choices George Lucas has made in regards to the franchise, but I would love to know what his original plans for the sequel trilogy were. Maybe one day.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI will hit theaters on December 15, 2017.