Hollywood Loved ‘Star Wars,’ But George Lucas Didn’t Love Hollywood

19 December 2015 9:24 AM, PST | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

At the Dec. 14 world premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood, the audience gave a standing ovation to George Lucas, since there would be no “Star Wars” without him. However, this is the first film he wasn’t directly involved in. But while “Star Wars” itself is an integral part of Hollywood’s DNA, Lucas

Variety first mentioned him on Jan. 9, 1968, when he scored three nominations in the third annual National Student Film Fest competition. Out of 153 entries and 46 finalists, Lucas had “6-18-67” (“A Desert Poem”); the docu “The Emperor,” and, in the dramatic competition, the sci-fi short “Thx-1138 4Eb.” He won for “Thx.” But for the next few years, it wasn’t a smooth ride.

Francis Coppola mentored Lucas, helping him land a deal for a 1971 feature version of “Thx” at Warner Bros.-Seven Arts. The box office was low and Coppola challenged him to create something for mainstream audiences. »

- Tim Gray

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