On May 25, 1977, a problem-plagued, budget-straining, independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theaters. Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, the movie originally calledThe Star Warsquickly drew blocks-long lines, bursting box office records, and ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. It has become one of the most adoredβand successfulβmovie franchises of all time.
Now, the author of the bestselling biographyJim Hensondelivers a long-awaited, revelatory look into the life and times of the man who created Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Indiana Jones.
IfStar Warswasnβt game-changing enough, Lucas went on to establish another blockbuster series with Indiana Jones, and he completely transformed the world of special effects and the way movies sound. His innovation and ambition forged Pixar and Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and THX sound.
Here, Lucasβs colleagues and competitors offer tantalizing glimpses into his life. His entire career has been stimulated by innovators including Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, actors such as Harrison Ford, and the very technologies that enabled the creation of his filmsβand allowed him to keep tinkering with them long after their original releases. Like his unforgettable characters and stories, his influence is unmatched.
