There’s plenty of other things happening today across the Star Wars galaxy – the final three episodes of Andor season 2 arrived this morning and it’s new comics day, to name just two – but we’d be a pretty shoddy outfit it we didn’t raise a glass to the man who started this whole thing, George Walton Lucas who might be a few years past placing the exact number of candles on his birthday cake, but nevertheless today celebrates 81 incredible years.
Born in Modesto, California on 14th May 1944, Lucas not only changed the direction of cinema in ways many are not aware of, but he also gave us two cinematic juggernauts in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, worlds that sprung from him a period of early 70’s creativity (and while working on THX-1138 and American Grafitti) that would make mid 70’s Stevie Wonder proud. We’re basking not only in the near half-century long effects of that creativity, but riding the edge of the wave with projects past, present and future that all have at their core the concepts and ideas Lucas set down decades ago.
Long retired, it’s always a welcome sight to see him at events looking well and, as in the case of the magnificent Light & Magic season 2, happy to discuss that legacy as we approach 50 years of Star Wars and this year celebrate 50 years of ILM and Skywalker Sound.
Many happy returns George!
