George Lucas has worked with Disney for decades, not only developing "Star Tours," but also in that Lucasfilm was a partner in developing "ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter" in the Magic Kingdom. Not to mention the involvement of his Industrial Light and Magic in countless films.
He knew that selling his "children" to Disney would not only continue a working relationship but also give them a place to be in the parks as well as on film well into perpetuity, which he actually mentioned at the time of his sale. He considered everything and eventually made the decision to sell, given the pros and cons.
I can understand working through some feelings as things evolve, and as your story is changed by the purchaser; and perhaps I can even understand some initial hard feelings -- he is human after all. But I would think he would have worked through some of this at the time of the sale. He was not selling to an organization with which he had not been intimately involved before. He understood their business -- and their creativity and complementary resources. It may not have been a perfect deal. But it was a deal. I hope he can come back to peace with it, and I believe he will. (And not just cynically because of the money.)
As for "wringing it for all it was worth," that is an interesting comment as well. I am 49 years old. I was around during the initial
Star Wars hoopla. Perhaps its ubiquitousness is a little more pronounced and efficient today, but I can tell you that the commercialization of
Star Wars was nearly ubiquitous back then, also, when George was clearly in control. Action figures and games were only just the beginning. There was an infamous "Star Wars Christmas Special" variety show on TV, for goodness sake. It was everywhere.
Star Wars itself was re-released the following year (1978) as "Episode IV." And in more recent times, let's not forget the "Special Edition" edits for re-release and multiple versions of video releases, which would entice people to buy essentially the same movies they already had but in a different format with a slightly different version or other special features. And of course he authorized "
Star Wars Monopoly" and
"Star Wars Trivial Pursuit" and "Family Guy
Star Wars edition" and "
Star Wars Robot Chicken" and "
Star Wars Weekends" at DHS and "Darth Tater" Mister Potatohead figurine and
Star Wars happy meals and
Star Wars Halloween costumes ...
So, again, although I think he was just being human and speaking off the cuff, I clearly think that for George to criticize Disney for over-commercializing
Star Wars is a bit like throwing stones within your own glass house. So, I would think that this is why he is reported to have recanted his statements to that effect.
Curious, by the way, on your take on this,
@Master Yoda and
@StarWarsGirl95 .
