Sad news arrives that Robert Watts, one of the most affable, generous and gregarious people ever associated with Lucasfilm, passed away yesterday. He was 86, and leaves behind a body of work that changed cinema and while doing so endeared himself to an industry and fandom who will never forget his contributions.
Born on 23rd May 1938, Robert was the half-brother of Jeremy Bulloch and started his film career in 1960 after two years of National Service at Whittington Barracks near Lichfield in Staffordshire. He began as a runner, then a production manager for documentaries and TV shows before returning to the big screen as a second assistant director. His 60’s output included Darling in 1965 starring Julie Christie and Dirk Bogarde, the James Bond film You Only Live Twice in 1967 and 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.
A meeting with Gary Kurtz changed the trajectory of his already impressive career. Now allied to Lucasfilm, he was production manager on Star Wars and would work as associate producer on The Empire Strikes Back and co-producer on Return of the Jedi. He became an associate producer on Raiders of the Lost Ark and producer on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade along with other Steven Spielberg productions including Who Framed Roger Rabbit and An American Tail: Fievel Goes West and Alive with Spielberg’s long-term producer Frank Marshall.
The world of cinema and fandom were quick to pay their respects.
We have sadly lost another great one, Robert Watts, a producer on ALIVE and many STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES movies. He was loved by all who worked with him, and I learned a lot from his vast knowledge, wonderful spirit and sense of humor. Sail on, dear friend, sail on.… pic.twitter.com/6Q0ivub9x4
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) October 1, 2024
Heartbroken to hear that Robert Watts has passed away. The afternoon we spent with him in 2018 was filled with such unforgettable stories.
He spoke about the passion needed to succeed in the industry. His own passion shone brightly, right until the end.
We owe you so much.❤️ pic.twitter.com/GB5uGWXqQr
— The Filmumentaries™ Podcast – Jamie Benning (@jamieswb) October 1, 2024
This one hurts a hell of a lot. Farewell to a movie legend, a wonderful Hollywood producer but above all a good friend. We first met @starwars production supervisor Robert Watts @ElstreeStudios to film his contribution to our Star Wars documentary ‘The Galaxy Britain Built’. His… pic.twitter.com/ONQGawwxEz
— David Whiteley (@DavidWhiteleyTV) October 1, 2024
Sad news hearing the passing of renowned producer Robert Watts. An incredible visionary in the film industry of some of my favorite movies including Indiana Jones. 😔
Your work will never be forgotten! pic.twitter.com/faizL0bpOW
— Alex “The Indy Guy” Arnold (@AlexArnold88) September 30, 2024
As his many friends and fans know, Robert was tremendously generous with his time, and as such we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to chat with him numerous times. I first sat down with Robert back in 2008 to discuss his incredible career, one that took him to every corner of the globe.
Lightsabre – You’ve been involved with some of the biggest and high profile movies of all time. As a producer, overseeing the mechanics of making these films, how high-octane is that life? It must be pretty thrilling to be involved in these big budget blockbuster movies.
RW – Yes, it’s what I always wanted to do and yes it is, exciting and everything like that. But it’s relative, it’s what we do. I think the easiest way I can describe it…no, this doesn’t even fit the bill precisely. When doing it, you’re not always objectifying what you’re doing all the time, you’re doing what you’re doing and it’s f****** hard work. Long hours, very complex, particularly Star Wars and Indiana Jones films. Very complex, and so you’re running on a kind of thing that’s going on right the way through the film and I always get the sense that people observe you at premieres and things like that, but it’s a job. It’s what we do, like what you do.
Lightsabre – We only see the end result.
RW – Yeah, and it’s really difficult to quantify it from a perspective of somebody from the outside looking in. It’s better to be right in the middle of it because it’s what you do. It’s your job, and if you do it ok then the whole thing is the same in the whole entertainment game. If you do it ok you get another job. Arriving with George Lucas on Star Wars, I honestly didn’t appreciate it was going to turn into the longest period of employment. Never being permanently employed if you like, I wasn’t then, but the films overlapped. Once Star Wars came out we all disappeared, and George said ‘Well, if it is successful we’ll make another couple.’ And the Millennium Falcon, we put it in containers on the back lot of the studio and one of two things were going to happen, we were gonna put it out and rebuild it or we were gonna junk it. The film turned into something that I don’t think any of us were expecting. I always thought it would be successful, I thought it would do James Bond business which was high end at that time. It went right through the roof, we wrote the gross book. And it still is a phenomenon.
In 2021 at Wales Comic Con I knelt down next to Robert to chat about his work and his time on the convention circuit.
Paul Naylor and Jonathan Hipkiss spoke with Robert at Croydon Star Wars Weekend in 2022.
Last summers UK premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on 26th June saw Robert hit the red carpet and recieve plenty of warm applause from the grateful fans present.
Our sincerest condolences to Roberts family, many friends and countless admirers and leave you with this wonderful image from last years UK premiere of Dial of Destiny.
*At the request of Roberts agent we held off posting this article until the Watts family made their official statement.
