Today, on May 25th – the 47th anniversary of the original Star Wars and the 41st of Return of the Jedi – George Lucas received his Honorary Palme D’or in an emotional ceremony which saw Lucas’ longtime friend Francis Ford Coppola present him with the awards after a long standing ovation.
George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola reflected on their lifelong bond as the “Megalopolis” director presented the “Star Wars” visionary with Cannes Film Festival‘s honorary Palme d’Or on Saturday night.
Before Lucas received the award, he was greeted in the theater by a several-minute standing ovation, during which he gave the crowd a thumbs-up and got a little teary-eyed. When Coppola came on stage, the two embraced and exchanged some private remarks.
Coppola also mentioned the time Lucas was rejected by the owners of the “Flash Gordon” comic strip when he pitched a film adaptation. “He looked at me and he said, ‘Well, I’ll make my own movie, I’ll call it “Star Battles” or “Star Wars” or something.’ And so he did, and in the process risked everything he had to make it,” Coppola said. “Congratulations George, not only am I and your many friends proud of you, but the world is here, proud to honor you.”
There’s no adequate way to thank George Lucas for everything he’s given to us throughout the years (for many readers their entire lives), leaving a legacy that is continued to the present day with its roots firmly in the galaxy he created.
