How the wife of George Lucas saved the “Star War”

Friday 02nd May 2025 01:17 PM

There is no doubt possible, George Lucas is a visionary. The American director managed to build a galactic empire from nothing. But in the shadows, a much more discreet character also played a crucial role in the success of the first film Star WarsMarcia Lucas, her ex-wife. Talented editor, she notably participated in the assembly ofAmerican Graffiti and Taxi Driver. Above all she has largely contributed to the success of Star War, Released in theaters in 1977.

Indeed, in the summer of 1974, George Lucas finished a first version of his script, in which all the emblematic elements of the universe are already present: the Jedi, the Force, the Star of Death. But history remains confused. Marcia judges that there are too many characters and political dialogues. She also judges the script too heavy, that he lacks a real hero and a threatening villain.

Moreover, on reading this first version of Star Warthe 20th Century Fox is in the opinion of Madame Lucas. George therefore completely rewrites the scenario with a dramaturgy more inspired by the great myths. A long -term job that will last almost an additional year. And it is far from being his only contribution to myth Star Wars.

A montage that changes everything

In 1976, after an exhausting and very expensive filming of first opus, George Lucas projects a first version of the feature film to his friends, including Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese. But it’s the cold shower. Only Spielberg seems enthusiastic. The rest of the group judge the film Confus, without rhythm, bordering on ridicule. George therefore calls Marcia to the rescue.

And she will go up the film from start to finish. It is she who will find the right rhythm, simplify the plot and above all, which will create breathless twists and turns, which is sorely lacking in her husband’s scenario. The editor thus adds the idea of a surprise return from Han Solo to the scene of the attack of the Death Star.

An nonexistent scene in the original and becoming mythical script. If George Lucas was the architect of the film, Marcia was the prime contractor, by making Star Waran unforgettable epic.

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