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Exclusive: George Lucas' little girl talks with us about the family business
The Force doesn't fall very far from the tree.
Katie Lucas, the 20-year-old daughter of Star Wars mastermind George Lucas, earned her first screenwriting credit for writing "Jedi Crash," an upcoming episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and talked exclusively with SCI FI Wire about it.
Katie Lucas' dad executive-produces the Cartoon Network animated series. In Katie's episode, Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) is seriously injured, leaving his young padawan, Ahsoka (Ashley Eckstein), to take charge of the situation and find help for her Jedi master.
Katie Lucas is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having made brief appearances as different characters in Episode I—The Phantom Menace, Episode II—Attack of the Clones and Episode III—Revenge of the Sith.
SCI FI Wire recently caught up with Lucas via e-mail. In part one of this edited two-part Q&A, Lucas discusses The Clone Wars, her episode and her fascination with the way in which minor characters gain popularity with the Star Wars fan base. Star Wars: The Clone Wars airs Fridays at 9 p.m.
Are you on the writing staff of The Clone Wars, or was your episode a one-off?
Lucas: I worked on Clone Wars as a freelance writer for about two and a half years before they asked me to be a part of the writing staff full-time. I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazingly talented group of people.
Give us a preview of "Jedi Crash," which leads directly into the next episode, "Defenders of Peace." How would you set up the story?
Lucas: "Jedi Crash" is probably my favorite of the episodes I've written for this show so far. It's a very poignant episode about the pursuit of peace during wartime. It's something we've never really seen before in the Star Wars universe, so it was very interesting territory to explore.
You've grown up in and around that Star Wars universe. What from the universe did you personally want to learn more about that's perhaps touched on in the episode?
Lucas: I mostly wanted to know and expand more on existing characters that had brief but memorable appearances in the film and have massive fan bases. In "Jedi Crash," we get a more in-depth view of Aayla Secura [Jennifer Hale], who became wildly popular after the [live-action] films came out. It's always interesting to me that such characters with barely any screen time become the most popular. I definitely got a lesson in that with Dave Filoni, our director, and his love for [Jedi Council member and Kel Dor Jedi master] Plo Koon [James Arnold Taylor], who is also featured in this series. I think fans will be stoked to see some of the "old friends" we have lined up for the upcoming seasons.
It's one thing to put words on paper and another thing entirely to see them come to life in an episode. What was it like for you to watch the finished, fully animated episodes?
Lucas: "Jedi Crash" was actually the first professional script I'd ever written for anything. So to see it come to life on screen for the first time was something I'll never forget. My dad screened my episode for me and my whole family over Thanksgiving. It was really incredible to share that moment with my family and friends.
The "Jedi Crash" episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars premieres Jan. 16 at 9 p.m. on Cartoon Network.
By yeahyeah at 8:34 PM ON 01/13/09
i had no idea lucas had a daughter working on the franchise. wow.
By Uber Critic at 12:10 AM ON 01/14/09
Finally, one of Lucas' kids shows up to take over the family business. I think this is really great and to finally have a female voice involved again. We haven't seen that since Empire really, although Carrie Fisher did help out with the dialogue of one of the prequel films.
To: Ms, Lucas,
I can't wait for you to create your own Star Wars, meaning, something all its own, on par with Star Wars or greater. Soon you will direct and produce. Believe and it will be. Good luck!!!
By sparrrownightmare at 11:31 AM ON 01/14/09
I sat through a few episodes of this series. Some of the story lines are OK, but the cheesy stylized animation CGI makes it look just ridiculous. It looks like the characters are being played by psycho bobble-heads. Can the designer and at least try and make it look non-laughable. Look at the Final Fantasy CGI movies for inspiration.
By Splugh at 12:18 PM ON 01/14/09
There have only been a few decent episodes. The ones that did not have Asoka in them. The recipe for each show is having a padawan upstage or out think a Jedi Knight or Master or even several of them. Seriously, this is like having Colin Powell constantly outsmarted by a 12 year old girl or boy.
I think this sort of concept might have worked if it had taken place when Anakin was a padawan running around with Obi-Wan. It would have given more validity to the "chosen one" concept.
With all hope, maybe the 09 live action project will be more for a mature audience.
By Moviejohn at 1:19 PM ON 01/14/09
Well, Splugh, I hate to say it, but in many cases I think Colin Powell probably COULD be outsmarted by a 12 year old! At least, it feels that way. Seriosuly, could you imagine someone making a movie about the United States not being able to find the No. 1 "Most Wanted" terrorist after EIGHT YEARS of looking?!
The series is meant for a younger audience, but there's a lot in there for all ages to enjoy. Your concept wouldn't have worked, because then it wouldn't have been "The Clone Wars," and one of the things that makes this series fascinating to me is that it's all about that particular period of time. There are those who don't like Ahsoka, and those who love her, and with every episode, I'm falling more into the "love her" camp.
By nerdface at 2:56 PM ON 01/14/09
'GL's little girl'?
shitty title. equally degrading.
it doesn't sound to me like she's a little girl at all.
give the girl a little more props than that.
By spiffy at 3:04 PM ON 01/14/09
Agree with nerdface. It seems like she's got a handle on her talent and responsibility. While she is a direct descendant - I can't imagine how much harder she's got to work to simply get people to move past the name. Props to Katie. I'll be watching her epi - even tho 'Clone Wars' has quite excited me... yet.
By manraysky at 4:55 PM ON 01/14/09
Referring to a 20 year old woman as a "little girl" is pretty insulting. Would you have referred to George Lucas' son in the same way?
I am looking forward to watching this episode. Way to go, Katie!
I am looking forward to seeing what th
By knightander at 7:56 PM ON 01/14/09
Fathers refer to their daughters as their "little girl" all the time because that is how they see them whether they're 2, 12, 20, or 42. It's a term of endearment. I'm willing to bet that GL and Katie would not find the term insult. Most daughters wouldn't.
By Dispatcher at 7:57 PM ON 01/14/09
This is so cool! Its like Michael Corleone took over family job and hited jackpot during his first work hours... Katie thank you for Aalya and Bly!!! Fans rejoice! Star Wars is immortal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Mildoo at 9:19 PM ON 01/14/09
tHIS IS SO COOL!
By Epcot82 at 11:35 PM ON 01/14/09
Stupid, insulting headline for a great interview with a woman who seems to be insightful, talented, enthusiastic and creative. I am really interested in seeing this episode now, and am also feeling SciFi probably needs to make some apologies to Lucas for the "should George retire" travesty and this belittling, demeaning headline. THINK, people ... THINK before you publish!
By Tallulah at 9:56 AM ON 01/15/09
knightander, not all fathers refer to their grown daughters as "little girls." My father never did, because it wasn't the 1950s and he knew I had the capability of taking care of myself. It's an outdated and tiresome phrase, and manraysky is right, male offspring wouldn't be referred to as "little boys." I'm actually relieved that some of the posters younger than I are unfamiliar with the anachronistic habit of referring to grown women as small children.
By knightander at 3:40 PM ON 01/16/09
Then apparently the headline writers at SCI FI Wire are a bunch of sentimental old fogies. I admit that I should have prefaced my statement with "Many" to avoid the assumption that I meant "All" fathers refer to their daughters as their "little girl."
By DarkNight at 7:59 PM ON 01/19/09
I'm male, and 40. My father is 65. When he calls on the phone, he says "Hows my little boy?" Wow, how degrading. I didn't realize what a put down it was. Guess I need to grow up like the rest of you.
By ...? at 12:28 AM ON 01/24/09
This got ugly quickly! Haha!
By robski at 7:51 PM ON 01/24/09
Great going kid! As a star wars fan since 1977, in new york city. Gotta say look forward to seeing you develop new films in the vein of daddy lucas. i know you can do it for your generation of Star War fanatics. God bless!!!
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robski:
Great going kid! As a star wars fan since 1977, in new york city. Gotta say look forward to seeing you develop new ...More »