George Lucas and Star Wars on different planets

“All you do is get criticised” was George Lucas‘ recent summing-up of what it’s like to be the brains behind Star Wars, whilst confirming that he’s called it a day with the hugely successful franchise.

It’s unlikely that this will mar the build-up to the release of The Force Awakens, but this is a clear explanation as to why he’s turned his back on the whole thing.

In the recent interview, Lucas also said: “You go to make a movie…and people try to make decisions about what you’re going to do before you do it. And it’s not much fun. You can’t experiment. You have to do it a certain way. I don’t like that, I never did. I started out in experimental films and I want to go back to experimental films.”

We’re sure there’s many who would have loved to have been in his shoes and are now reaching out for the nearest violin, but to be fair to old Georgie-boy he’s obviously someone who sticks to his guns, as the selling of LucasFilm to Disney for $4bn in 2012 proved.

But it’s the public who pay their money to go and see these movies, and fans were quick to voice their displeasure at the three prequels that told the story of Annakin, father of Luke Skywalker.

Regardless of your view on the matter, Lucas has aimed a one-fingered salute squarely at those who dared to speak out; not once but twice. He has suggested that the character he would most like to be is Jar Jar Binks – the main target of the criticism – and said of The Force Awakens that “I’m curious that the Force doesn’t get muddled into a bunch of gobbledygook.”

The next instalment, due out next month, is the first to be made without Lucas on board in any capacity – who’ll have the last laugh?