George Lucas Defends the ‘Star Wars’ Prequel Trilogy (and Jar Jar Binks!)
George Lucas was honored with a Palme d’Or for his contribution to cinema at the 77th Cannes Film Festival today, and the Hollywood luminary took the occasion to set the record straight on some of his most famous works.
Reflecting back on the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Lucas argued that critics had forgotten that the franchise was originally intended to appeal to children. The cynical adults, who had grown up with the original films but dismissed the prequels, he argued, had missed the point.
![Jake Lloyd](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-09-33-23-Anakin-Skywalker-child-actors-tragic-life-after-starring-in-The-Phantom-Menace.png)
![Jake Lloyd](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-12-at-09-33-23-Anakin-Skywalker-child-actors-tragic-life-after-starring-in-The-Phantom-Menace.png)
Photo: Lucasfilm
“It was supposed to be a kid’s movie for 12-year-olds that were going through puberty, who don’t know what they’re doing, and are asking all the big questions: What should I be worried about? What’s important in life?,” he said. “And Star Wars has all those things in there.” They’re buried in there but you definitely get it, especially if you’re young.”
![Qui-Gon Jinn](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Qui-Gon-Jinn-Phantom-Menace.jpeg)
![Qui-Gon Jinn](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Qui-Gon-Jinn-Phantom-Menace.jpeg)
‘The Phantom Menace’. Photo: Star Wars
Lucas attributed the negative response to the prequel trilogy to “critics and fans who had been 10 years old when they saw the first one.”
Lucas’s Theory Has Proven to Be Correct
In many ways, Lucas’s theory has been proven true over the last few years. As we have written about extensively, the Star Wars prequel trilogy has undergone a Renaissance as the generation of fans who grew up with the films have reached adulthood.
A large segment of fans now holds the prequels in the same regard as the original trilogy. Meanwhile, once-maligned actors such as Hayden Christensen and Ahmed Best have been welcomed back into the Star Wars fandom as conquering heroes.
![Hayden Christensen](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-08-at-13-51-17-Hayden-Christensen-Joining-Bruce-Willis-in-‘First-Kill-Exclusive.png)
![Hayden Christensen](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Screenshot-2023-06-08-at-13-51-17-Hayden-Christensen-Joining-Bruce-Willis-in-‘First-Kill-Exclusive.png)
Photo: HollywoodReporter.com
Speaking of Best, Lucas also reflected on the reception that Jar Jar Binks received from fans.
![Jar Jar Binks](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jar-Jar-Binks-1024x576.jpeg)
![Jar Jar Binks](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jar-Jar-Binks-1024x576.jpeg)
Photo: Also Star Wars
“Everybody said the same thing about 3PO, that he was irritating and we should get rid of him,” Lucas said. “When I did the third one it was the Ewoks: ‘Those are little teddy bears. This is a kid’s movie, and we don’t want to see a kid’s movie. I said: ‘It is a kids’ movie. It’s always been a kids’ movie.”
Fans Could Learn From Lucas
While the days of Star Wars being able to pass itself off simply as a kid’s movie are likely long gone, Lucas is correct about one thing.
![George Lucas](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/george-lucas-2-e1580915552507-1024x471.jpg)
![George Lucas](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/george-lucas-2-e1580915552507-1024x471.jpg)
George Lucas. Photo:Also LucasFilm
Star Wars fans would be wise to try to remember what the films were originally intended to be. If the redemption of the prequel trilogy has taught us anything, it is that each generation has its own set of Star Wars films. The universe is big enough for all kinds of fans.
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