If you are interested in movies, you’ll know of George Lucas. The 79-year-old is a true cinematic Renaissance man — director, producer, screenwriter, and the brains behind some of the biggest film franchises of all time.
Born in California in 1944, Lucas was raised in through sci-fi, comics, TV, and movies. When a near-fatal car accident derailed his dream of a racing career, he decided to pursue a career in film. Lucas founded the production company American Zoetrope and directed THX 1138 in 1971. Still, it wasn’t until 1973’s comedy American Graffiti that Lucas achieved widespread recognition, winning Best Director and Best Picture at the Oscars.
Star Wars — the original multimedia gian
If American Graffiti was a hit, 1977’s Star Wars was a phenomenon — birthing a billion-dollar multimedia franchise.
Though a sci-fi epic may seem a million miles from the low-budget coming-of-age comedy American Graffiti, the two shared more than just a director. Although Al Pacino auditioned for charismatic bounty hunter Han Solo, the role went to Harrison Ford, who had impressed Lucas in his small role in American Graffiti. In fact, PIA describes various A-Listers were turned down for roles in the film because Lucas saw star quality in lesser-known actors like Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher.
Indiana Jones and the next box-office smash
1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark launched one of the most iconic cinematic action heroes of all time — Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones. This time, Harrison Ford took the role of the leading man, as by now, his experiences working with Lucas on American Graffiti and Star Wars had made him the perfect choice.
With its blend of swashbuckling adventure, humor, and action set-pieces, the franchise has captivated audiences worldwide for over four decades. The latest installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is said to be Harrison Ford’s final outing as the titular character, but who knows where the franchise will end?
THX — an audiovisual revolution
George Lucas’ innovations aren’t just limited to the films themselves — he has also contributed to the technical aspects of cinema. In collaboration with audio engineer Tomlinson Holman, Lucas’s production company Lucasfilm designed the THX audiovisual standard.
THX was first developed to ensure theaters could reproduce the soundtrack for the third Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi, in the best quality. THX expanded into consumer electronics over the years, and it continues to be a trusted brand and a mark of quality today.
George Lucas’ achievements and contributions to the world of cinema cannot be overstated. Even his less successful releases, like 1988’s fantasy flick Willow, have dedicated fanbases. Lucasfilm has produced countless movies that are not just box-office hits but also inspire loyal, thriving fan communities worldwide. Subsidiary LucasArts has also produced some of the most iconic and well-loved video games of all time.
Although Lucas hasn’t directed a film since 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, he remains executive producer of countless box-office smashes. Though he tends to hand the reins of his franchises over to others, his initial imagination and ideas can still be seen today.
