The God of Flannel ventured down from on high to pay humble respects to an actor receieving the American Cinematheque’s 23rd annual award to Samuel L Jackson.
Coming Soon got a few words with George Lucas about what keeps him busy:
CS: You’re here in L.A. to pay tribute to Samuel L. Jackson. Of all the actors in Hollywood who would’ve killed to lobby you for a part in the “Star Wars” prequels, why was Sam an actor that you felt fit your plans enough to bring into “Star Wars”?
Lucas: To be honest, he’s the only one who asked, actually. He didn’t really lobby for it. He was on a talk show and someone asked him what movie he would’ve liked to be in or that he would like to be in that he hadn’t been in and he said “Star Wars.” So I called him up and said “Is that true? Do you really want to be in ‘Star Wars’?” He said “Yeah – as long as I’m a Jedi,” and I said “Well, I have a little tiny role, but it grows if you’re willing to do the three movies.” He said “I’m in.” It was just like that. He didn’t look at it like “This is a chance to make a whole bunch of money, a chance to do a big thing.” He just did what was asked of him and tried to make it as good as he possibly could.
In the interview they also hit on his hopes to translate the six Star Wars movies into the new hip 3D style, and in true Lucas style he says he will, but they are trying to find a better way to do it.
He also admits to not directing any more features (to a collective sigh of relief from the fandom), his plans to do some independant films (everyone needs a hobby) and his plans for another Indiana Jones movie. Nothing solid yet about what he will be chasing or who would be in the film.
