Obviously written by an idiot.

you should call this article

"Tasteless Freelance Writer is Mad Cause So Many People Like George Lucas, So She Feels He Should Retire to Make Her Feel Better About Herself"

1) American Grafitti was a decent movie. But the Star Wars films (yes, all of them) were FAR more entertaining.

2) OK, so we agree on the duck.

3) Willow was a fine mix of fantasy, and comedy and has been enjoyed by many, including myself. And who cares about not including things cut from the original. Why care? The story worked without them, why try and mash stuff in just because it was cut out? Maybe it was left out for a reason.

4) I personally like the direction Star Wars took. The fact that so much diversity was added (like it or not) added to the mix of the SW universe. I love how people like to throw the whole Jar Jar mess at everything Star Wars now. He was a charecter from Episode 1, who even though was in 2&3, had minor roles, that were hardly noticed.

5) All the Indy films had Sci-Fi elements. From the Ark, to magic stones, to the Holy Grail, to the skull from another world.

6) I personally, along with many people I know, are looking forward to a Star Wars live action TV show.

7) And who are you to make fun of the way someone dresses......it doesn't make them a different person.

8) They're his movies. So what if he doesn't release in HD. I mean really, how many versions of the same movie do you need? Is High Def really gonna make you spend another 100 bucks on movies you already have 5 copies of?

9) Since all movies these days have entirely female casts, and the woman is always the hero, I guess his movies should too. *sarcasm off*
Honestly, do you even watch his movies? The Star Wars and Indy films all had strong women charecters.

Mr. Lucas, keep doing what you want with YOUR dream, your idea. You will always have fans reguardless of how you choose to interpret YOUR stories.

Ms. Busch, maybe you should retire, instead of trying to think up reasons to try and soil a man who has done far more for Sci-Fi, than you have done. Maybe try something else entirely, like flipping burgers. Seems as if you would be a better fit there.

What has happened to this site? It featured properly written news stories, and now is just another fanboy blog?

Hey I have to agree with the author on just about all points. As long as there are still news stories I don't mind a few commentaries thrown in. It was pretty obvious the was an opinion piece and I could have not read it if I didn't agree with the title.

It's been said that those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach bitch about other people's work.

1. According to articles published right here in Sci Fi Wire the Skywalker family won't feature in the live action Star Wars. That includes Darth Vader.

1a. Other actors have provided the voice of Darth Vader. Brock Peters portrayed the character on the radio show (arguably a more nuanced performance), Matt Sloan portrayed him in Soulcalibur IV and the Force Unleashed, and its Scott Lawerence in Rebel Assault II and Dark Forces.

2. Geniuses don't always live up to their reputations. Even Leonardo da Vinci had his flops. In fact, da Vinci had more ideas than completed works. Look at his notebooks.

3. George Lucas created the Star Wars franchise. Could you?

3a. In the original cut of Star Wars, Han Solo and Greedo fired almost simultaneously.

4. George Lucas created the Indiana Jones franchise. Could you? Crystal Skull wasn't the best movie in the series but could you make a better one?

5. The only thing Willow and Lord of the Rings have in common are a shorter than average protagonist. It's not great but then again, could you have done better?

6. When you have a billionaire you can dress how you want. George Lucas is a billionaire, he can dress how he wants.

7. American Graffiti isn't a better movie than Star Wars. It's a 90 minute music video with almost no plot. It's not the film Lucas will be remembered for. Star Wars will remembered long after Sci Fi wired is a distant memory.

8. Lucas obviously learned his lesson about Jar-Jar. He limited the characters role in Episode II and in Episode III he doesn't even have a line.

We don't need another i09.com. The old SciFi Wire was a great read, this new version is dumbed down.

Well I pretty much agree with all of that. I would never say that a creator doesn't have the right to keep reworking their material, but after a certain point it just makes for a huge mess.

I'm sorry to see that the fanbrats are already piling on and calling you names. So classy, people, so very classy.

What utter nonsense, is this now ah Lucas Bashing site?

Cacaoatl at 7:15 AM ON 01/07/09 Wrote "It's been said that those who can't do, teach. Those who can't teach bitch about other people's work."

Then goes on to bitch about someone else's article. I'm submitting that to Webster's under a definition for Irony.

Love the whining about the article. Fanboys these days, take themselves and their fave franchises far too seriously. Get over yourselves, its only someones opinion. It doesnt matter and it shouldnt stop you from enjoying what you like at all.

The American Graffiti thing is obviously sarcasm people. Learn to take a joke.

This is what SciFiWire has become? Absolutely atrocious. Go back to reporting the hard news, please - which is something the site did better than anyone else. Injecting the site with "attitude" is akin to the producers of Itchy & Scratchy creating Poochie.

Only gushing fanboys with too much time on their hands would respond to this article with a 8-9 point rebuttal.

While I'm not sure American Graffiti is a better movie than the original Star Wars, at least it demonstrates that Lucas once had the ability to direct real live actors. Unfortunately, after decades of focusing on the digital side of things, he clearly lost that ability, as evidenced in the Star Wars prequels.

By his own admission, he doesn't care much for directing, and I think his recent efforts clearly indicate that. Lucas should focus his talents on the technical side of things and leave the directing to someone else.

I smiled when I read this. So true. Anyone who disagrees are obviously in denial. Oh, except for the Willow thing. I like that movie.

I have to defend Willow and plaid shirts (hey, it's his look, let him have it). I can't defend much else. The new movies were atrocious. That said like a sucker if they made a live-action Star Wars TV show I'd probably tune in. OMG I hate myself for saying that.

Jumping franchises here, but...

Get a life, people!

The author is ignoring far more important targets by doing this hit-piece on poor Lucas. Sure, his obsession with infantile entertainment is screwing up my fondest childhood memories, but fight the real enemy: Uwe Boll. At least Lucas is destroying his own properties, rather than using German socialist financial loopholes to buy up the creative work of others and defacing them beyond recognition. How about a follow-up piece to put this Lucas in perspective?

http://www.stopuweboll.org/

George Lucas didn't so much create the Star Wars franchise as compile it from other sources. Yes, I know, nothing new under the sun and no original ideas, but it is the truth. Star Wars' roots lie all over the place and I am NOT knocking it as the first three films (ewoks excluded) were awesome.

But he did totally drop the ball on the other three. I have to heartily disagree with with anyone who says episodes 1-3 were good. They were, well, utter crap. They were nearly Uwe Boll crap level.

But, I love Willow. Maybe it's because I saw it when I was younger. Maybe just because it was just fun. Who knows? I know I've no interest in a Star Wars tv show.

Jenna Busch, you are AWESOME!

100 percent completely on target. Thank you.

Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few who care.

I don't think Ms. Busch and these top ten lists are at all new to scifiwire. "Top Tens" are inherrently weak and more designed to spark the sort of back and forth as seen in this comment thread. That said, I preferred the old format of headline displays rather than having to scroll through multiple ledes. Elegance has been sacrificed for a lot of white space in this new format. I'm hoping it's an evolving design.

I think the writer makes many good points.

When the authors of the comments asked if anyone else could have created those franchises, the answer is yes. In fact someone did before Lucas was born. Anyone who has read SF from the first 30 years of the 20th century, action and sci-fi serials up until the mid-40's have seen everything in Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

Okay. Simmer down now. No need to personally attack the writer and slam the entire website because you disagree with the writer's opinion. If you are a devoted Lucas fan did you really expect to like this article?

The writer has some very valid points. I still wonder wistfully what Episodes I and II would have been like with a much better story (I personally loved Episode III). And I thought Willow was wonderful and don't really see much relation to the LOTR series. But Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a major let down, though watchable.

Lucas has made mistakes, some bigger than others (Howard the Duck AHHHHH), and it is not practical to defend him as though he were infallible. I'm a Star Wars fan I will watch anything with Star Wars on it, including the planned live action series. But I will not cast a blind eye to the transgressions.

I don't think Lucas should retire. I think Lucas should be more careful with his properties and try to focus more on his storytelling. And if the man likes plaid, who am I to tell him different?

If there was any doubt that Lucas should no longer be directly involved in film-making, the last Indiana Jones movie erased it. The man obviously owes much of his success to the people he's had around him over the years. The more direct input he has into the creation of new material, the worse it turns out.

Not really the forum I suppose, but I've gotta agree about the website quality going sharply downhill. Seems like it's become half reporting, half opinion piece -- with it leaning a bit more to the opinion side.

I rather like reading about current and upcoming projects -- it allows me to form my own opinions. Having someone else try to force-feed me *thiers* leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

C'mon already. I am so tired of hearing people complain about George Lucas. If you hate what he is doing then make your own multi-million film franchise and do exactly the opposite of Lucas. Until then, stop hating on him just to sound cool. It's old, everyone who wants a laugh does it, and to be honest I don't agree.

Oh brother. I am so sick of the prequel based Lucas-bashing. OF COURSE they didn't live up to the magic of the first trilogy; but it was still entertaining. Same deal with the aliens in Indy. Would I rather have had a "Lost City of Atlantis" plot. Yeah, probably. But aliens from another dimension are no more outlandish than a vengeful Judeo-Christian deity smiting people because they looked at the dust of the Ten Commandments in the Lost Ark.

When you peak early, it's hard to continue to meet the highest level of success for your entire career. It doesn't mean you should retire. Anyway, before Lucas goes - can't Uwe Boll or Roland Emmerich take a bow. They produce more schlock in one movie than Lucas has managed his entire career.

I am a sci-fi and, especially, Star Wars fan. George Lucas is the man. But beyond my obviously biased opinion, George Lucas did and is doing so much for the film industry that if i read another post matching this one in stupidity i'll unsubscribe from the newly 'relaunched' sci-fi wire, ok?

This Article: Celebrating 10 Years of Existing on The Internet in One Form or Another.

Bravo.

Wow. The sheer vitriol from the diehard Star Wars fans here is both amusing and frightening. It's worse than watching a bunch of Trekkies complain about the size of the warp nacelles in the new Star Trek film.

For those threatening to unsubscribe: nobody cares.

As far as this article goes, I thought it was dead on. George Lucas produced a masterpiece with New Hope, but he literally took his franchise and burned it after immersing it in sewage and trash. Modern scifi has shown that nobody gives a damn about explosions and flashy special effects if there is no backbone or substance to whatever you're making. That's why shows like Battlestar are doing well critically and financially, and why most of the prequel Star Wars films are panned as being horrid. As for the new Indiana Jones, that was a great way to spit on the franchise. Excuse me as I go avoid a nuke by locking myself in a fridge with CGI gophers and aliens.

I totally agree with how he really f'd up the Holy Trilogy with the "special" special additions, changing Boba Fetts voice was another horrendous change.

And I can agree the aliens in Indy was a little corny but it was still a enjoyable movie.

But Willow was a good movie and I am looking forward to the live action show

Wow. Written by a feminist moron. Should Melissa Etheridge retire because she doesn't make enough songs about men?

Indy 4 is a disgrace.

The thing about some comments here that irritate me is the challenge of "Could YOU create such a thing?"

It's an insipid retort from someone who just doesn't get it. Just because a person is not a director or movie writer does not make that person un-skilled or somehow wrong to make critiques. To behave like that is pure ignorance at work.

It amounts to this simple fact: We all know what we like and what we don't like. So, people are going to share their opinions with others, but don't act like it's wrong for a person to have an opinion just because you disagree with it.

Great article, and you are completely correct.

You fanboys are delusional. I have one very simple reason why you're wrong:

When you examine the actions and output over the last fifteen or so years, several things are completely apparent: George Lucas hates you. He hates your love for his movies. And in the end hates those very movies. He hates that he's 'the Star Wars guy' and not Francis Ford Coppola or Steven Spielberg. And he hates, resents, and blames you because he's not those people. Simple as that.

Keep in mind, he has no reason to blame you for anything...like his inability to never make another 'big' movie again, as was his insistence several years ago after the completion of the prequel trilogy. If there was any filmmaker on the planet that could get together a small group of talented actors to digitally shoot a small personal tale, it's George Lucas. But that's the way it is.

Excellent article. I agree on all points.

this is just absoulte nonsense! do you ever think that other fans who have grown up with the star wars saga would like to see more? I know I sure would! Just because you are troubled, don't speak for everyone....George, keep on making movies and tv shows it's what your true fans want!!!!!!!!!!!

1. According to articles published right here in Sci Fi Wire the Skywalker family won't feature in the live action Star Wars. That includes Darth Vader.

Ah, but that name no longer holds any meaning for the Sith Lord. :)

I hate Jenna Busch's articles. She should definitely stop writing op-eds. No one cares about her stupid-ass opinion. No self-respecting sci-fi geek would write the gibberish she does. Get bent.

Having grown up with Star Wars a big part of my childhood (was 8 when Star Wars came out in "77") I cant say I totally disagree with this article. I dont think he should retire but I dont think he should directly write or direct any more movies. He has great ideas that if the right person were to take and write and direct it, then we would be on to something. My favorite Star Wars movie was the one he had his hands on the least which was Empire Strikes Back, all the actors did a much better job, the story was good and it worked. Then he helms the next one and we get ewoks and bad acting again or maybe just rushed acting I should call it. Then of course the prequels which I wont even go there.

Gag! I don't care for the new Sci-Fi Wire. It's a snarky, IO9 clone. I'm outta here.

Star Wars Ep. IV was a terrible movie the way Lucas shot it until the editors recut the entire movie. It started to go down hill with Return of the Jedi. Anyone like the Ewoks?

Ep I, II, and III could have been so much more but were simply horrible. Right there with Matrix Reloaded Revolution.

George Lucas edited the Star Wars episode IV himself. Please don't spout random nonsense if you don't know what you're talking about. At least back up your claims.

Can we go back to the old Sci Fi Wire please? I want NEWS not some writer's opinion about a movie director.

I have often speculated that the Mediclorians are an invention to disable "The Force" as a workable modern day religion.
I can't help but think that GL does not want to have to live with starting something as strange as Scientology on his conscience.
I for one think that L Ron Hubbard should have been shot for doing what he did. Perhaps GL thinks the same way

George Lucas needs to go, or do something more creative than beat the dead horse that is Star Wars.

This flame is lame.

I said before that i'll unsubscribe if there's gonna be another post as lame as this one - and there you go publishing another one that's even lamer: about a George Lucas poll (should he retire or not ?!). It was fun while it lasted, i liked the old sci-fi wire a lot, i'm out of the new one too... :/

Isn't there already an AICN? I used to come here for the news and reviews but if this is an example of things to come, I'll be looking elsewhere. After all, I've had enough of the GL bashing over the last 10 years. Time to move on already! The very simple solution to your problem is to stop watching anything attached to his name because, frankly, I care very little about your opinion.

Wow...I don't think I need to add a comment here, but what the !@#* I didn't know that this was a one sided feed with one person's opinions. I was okay with the Hero's review as that show was going into the wrong direction in "MY Opinion" but I think that these opinion based news feeds need to not be here. There are forums for this stuff!

Bring back the good stuff to the SciFi Wire before you loose your readers. If you want a place to post opinions, create a forum or something.

Lucas had maybe lost the force... I still have the hope for the upcomming starwars tv series. I heard it was made for a more mature public than 5 or 10 y.o kids.
The world really need good stories with content, and science fiction!
I need more words from Yoda!

please george get a trip or one peyotel and get back to track!

Thank you for writing this. I agree with you on every single point. I have said for years that American Graffiti was the best film that George will ever make.

To those trashing this article I have one thing a couple things to say.

1. Movie out of your parents house already.

2. Your are the mindless zombies that are directly responsible for the lack of quality entertainment in this world. You eat up every piece of crap that comes and in doing have lowered Hollywood's standards for film making.

3. When you do finally have sex with a real person one of these days you will realize just how wriong you have been all these years.

I think that about does it.

I think that we all need to refrain from name call and insults. We certainly aren't children here. Everyone needs to realize that this is an opinion piece. It isn't right and it isn't wrong. It is only one person's opinion and we have to respect that whether or not we agree with it. But I must say this isn't "news" by any means. If there are going to be opinion pieces I believe that SciFi Wire needs to label these articles as such and place them in an entirely different section. Beyond that what credibility if any does the author have. Is she a director? Des she have any big or silver screen experience. Has she done any real literature and not merely opinion pieces. If we're going to criticize (this goes for us as well as SF Wire) we need to know what we're talking about and not just whine and complain about the success of highly creative or successful people.

Lucas never hired Shatner. That, in and of itself, says that it's time to pack it in.

:)

Just pictured Shatner in a metal bikini, chained to Jabba the Hut...

- the 10th reason: he's one of the worst director of all times
- the 11th: the man does not like actors, nor actresses nor colored people, but only blond-haired-good-looking dummies and 3D toys.

Indeed, this probably was written by a semi-retarded child who doesn't understand the simple concept of being awe-struck by great film.

I agree with it all. Lucas needs to go get an actual life now... a life that doesnt involve butchering a much loved scifi series.

Lucas is a hack who got lucky predicting where the cultural zeitgeist would strike next, he has milked the same idea for over 2 decades and from his recent SW abortions and the lame ass recent Indy he is obviously creatively bankrupt.

I actually have to agree with just about everything save for the Willow comment (I love that movie). What George did to his own franchise is worse than the colorization of old black-&-white films.

The author is being kind, though. I think George should be jettisoned into space. It'd be a win-win for all involved, anyway.

You can always tell a good piece of work by the amount of needless bile it brings up in people. Chill out everyone; it's an opinion piece.

An opinion piece I wholeheartedly agree with. As the man said in Robot Chicken: "If you're not going to take this seriously then why bother?". That pretty much encompasses the whole post-original-trilogy mess we've sat through

to Cacaoatl:
Uh, in the original cut, Greedo didn't shoot at all. You're looking at the cut they did AFTER the recut where they shoot simultaneously

Hahahaha Star Wars not as good as American Graffiti? Stopped reading after that. Boo. Hiss.

There are a bunch of problems with this article.

1. Say what you will about George Lucas but the man is a genius. But ask yourself honestly how many other filmmakers, musicians, artists ect. have influenced modern culture and even the U.S. government to the degree he has with the Star Wars films? Not very many.

2. THX-1138 is a science fiction MASTERPIECE. To this day it is still ahead of its time and is very experimental (something Lucas does not get any credit for from an artistic point of view and SHOULD).

3. American Graffiti is as personal a film as one can get and again influence pop culture to such a degree in the 70's and early 80's that we would not have everything from Happy Days to Back To The Future without it.

4. Tucker - a film that Lucas produced and had quite a hand in during the editing process is another underrated masterpiece suspiciously skipped over by the writer of this article. So, if you're going to talk about Willow the least you can do is give a shout out to Tucker which is a VERY strong film and one of the best bio pics of the last 20 years and Lucas had everything to do with it getting made!

5. From a business point of view Lucas (like Disney) has been an astute financial giant in the industry (a true independent) who not only finances his own films himself but has a reputation for being very good to his staff and production crews, and his THX sound offshoot is a powerhouse.

6. Lastly, I am sick and tired of people blaming Lucas for the failure that is Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. Let us not forget that Spielberg directed the film (a powerful force in his own right). And its on record that it was Spielberg's idea that Skull be shot on sets instead of on location something that really (I personally believe) hurt the quality of the film overall.

LUCAS DID NOT DIRECT THE FILM.

SPIELBERG DID!

And you honestly think that Spielberg took all his marching orders from George?

I think not.

And just because you don't like Willow doesn't mean the rest of us agree with your assessment.

Willow is a fine sword and sorcery film.

And one more thing:

Attacking Lucas for not having enough women in his films is INSANE.

What about the love interest in THX? All the great supporting female players in American Graffiti, Carrie Fisher's indelible performance in all three Star Wars films....

This article is hogwash.

I'm sorry I even spent this much time responding to it.

If any of you in any shape or form try to defend George Lucas in terms of the last 3 star wars films or the literally tear inducing CGI laden chemistry lacking abortion that was the new Indy flick you are a brain dead fan boy who thinks Stargate is better than Battlestar because it's stupid enough for you to understand and doesn't make you feel things.

Dave C,

You said:

"My favorite Star Wars movie was the one he had his hands on the least which was Empire Strikes Back, all the actors did a much better job, the story was good and it worked. Then he helms the next one and we get ewoks and bad acting again or maybe just rushed acting I should call it..."

He didn't "helm" Return Of The Jedi. Jedi was directed by Richard Marquand who did Jagged Edge.

at least get your facts straight before railing on the guy.

And let's be fair to Lucas where the most recent Star Wars films are concerned.

Lucas hadn't directed a film for more than ten years. And the last of the three is the best of the recent SW flicks which means he's getting back to his old self again.

Its amazing to me to see so many people criticizing a guy when they've probably never made a film themselves. I've made four.

Star Wars?

Wasn't that like, FOUR YEARS AGO? Christ. Timely article. I know! Now gripe about Brett Ratner for X3. That's as fresh.

I like the way they wrote his name on his Starbucks cup. Can't you imagine the perky barista asking "Can I get your name?" when taking his order. George just stares at her for a minute. Blink, blink....blink. (sigh) "It's George." And the wad of cash he was going to toss into the tip jar remains squarely in his pocket.

I have to agree with this guy, George is hell bent on taking all the magic from my childhood and destroying it with Jar Jar! My 8 yr old loves Stars Wars and even he thinks the Clones Wars cartoon is dumb!

Yeah, uh, George Lucas and Star Wars ain't what they used to be. Here are some more ideas for Ms. Busch to explore. SNL isn't as good as it used to be. Steve Martin isn't as funny now. Eddie Murphy makes bad movies. But hurry before these revelatory ideas become incredibly boring cliches to repeat again and again.

Two reason Jenna Busch should never be allowed to write a blog.

1. She actually wrote the gazillionst article pointing out that old GL sucks.

2. She is a trite hack.

I'm not defending or opposing anything on this list just the very fact it exists at all. So boring.

I wish I could say I can't believe all the hate in the comments, but when it comes to Fanboys it's pretty much to be expected. It's someone's opinion, you'd think people would be used to others disagreeing with them on the internet by now.

I don't agree with this list, but it has some good points. I do think Lucas should just stop milking the cash cow Star Wars has become. This is the guy who's giving us Indy and Star Wars for god's sake. Stop trying to squeeze every penny out of these amazing franchises and put the imagination to use. We all know he has one.

I am pretty sure that Greedo and Han shoot simultaneously.

Good points in this article, and they inspire to expound on three things:

1) When we first met Han Solo, we were supposed to take him for a hardbitten smuggler. We soon learn he has a price on his head, information provided by Greedo, who's come to claim that reward and makes it quite clear that, for the sheer pleasure of it, he's opted to bring Han in dead. Han, knowing Greedo, takes precisely the appropriate action - he shoots first, and pays to clean up the mess. The controversy this stirred up was always ridiculous, and the monkeying done to the material to temper it has only made it more so.

2) In my opinion, which it is, the viewpoints expressed by Obi Wan in Star Wars (Chapter IV A New Hope? Nope, too little too late there) and Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back strongly imply - in hindsight - that they've both come to see the whole midi-chlorian business concerning the Force - as well as most aspects of Jedi personal discipline - as a load of bantha pies.

3) I would like someone to tell me one single solitary thing Boba Fett did in any of the Star Wars movies that warrants the peculiar amount of adulation the character seems to engender whenever these films are discussed. The guy simply did not do anything worth anything. He stood around, apparently looking cool (can't figure the "cool" aspect, especially hefting that antique grenade launcher, but whatever), while Lando and Vader did all the work rounding up this so-called bounty hunter's prey. Then, next flick, after more standing around, he lost control of his own equipment and got eaten.

Yeah, that's a real sterling resume for cinematic immortality.

Few points here:
1. You do realize Clone Wars is a cartoon for kids, right? And that the so-called movie was really the first two episodes put together? In that regard it's really not that bad, especially when compared to the other stuff aimed at the same age bracket. Just because the new SW stuff doesn't make you feel like you did the first time you saw SW does not make it instantly bad, just as not everything SW is made with you (adults) in mind.

2. George Lucas was never a good director. A good producer? Absolutely, but not a good director. A New Hope was as good as it was only because of the collaboration it took for that movie to get made- not to mention the tons of work that happened in the editing room. In fact, that pretty much sums up the entire original trilogy- it was as good as it was because they were all collaborative projects as opposed to Lucas doing whatever he wanted. The fact that the author described American Graffiti as a better film than SW, especially on Scifi.com, instantly makes them lose credibility anyway.

3. While the prequels weren't great (The Phantom Menace was horrible) this new "SW/Lucas bashing" bandwagon is really tired. The hype built up for the movies was ridiculous and there's no way it would have ever lived up to expectations, and since then anything with SW on the cover is automatically landblasted and judged far more harshly than is really warranted. Has it all been great? No, but it hasn't all been complete crap either. The suggestion here is if you don't like it, don't watch it. Let those that do enjoy it continue to do so. If the ratings are bad enough, as far as the TV shows are concerned, they'll die out anyway.

4. The new Indiana Jones movie was horrible, but Spielberg was as much to blame for it as Lucas was because he agreed to make the movie even if he supposedly wasn't happy with the plot.

5. The insinuation that everything Lucas does it to "milk" the franchise for money is pretty stupid. I hate to break it to you but Lucas doesn't exactly need help making money. Of course money does come into play. Regardless of anything else it's still a business, but to make it out like he's doing everything solely for that purpose is a little ludicrous. Lucas has controlling interest in so many areas of the entertainment industry that he could never do another thing having to do with SW, or Indy for that matter, and never receive any royalty checks from the marketing of those two brands ever again and he'd still make millions of dollars a year from THX, Skywalker sound, ILM, etc.

6. This whole thing will probably be written off as fanboy ranting, but it's really not. I just get tired of hearing this same crap everywhere you go on the web. It's unoriginal, played out, and quite frankly this list was rather lame when it comes to the "points" that were made. I say that as a writer, not a fan.

wow...the fan boys are up in arms today...sheep are like that...

Lucas deserves praise for STAR WARS...it "borrowed" quite well from a number of more original films and was great fun...EMPIRE...far away the best of the films, had the least of his control in story and direction...but since then, its been downhill. Bad plots...bad direction....no interest in a solid story....no ability to direct a human actor...only an interest in technology. Oh...and to those fanboys that say "what have you created"...I have been a TV producer for 15 years...so being an "insider" I can state quite clearly that Lucas is a creative hack for years.

BTW...when I do watch Star Wars...its the original versions or the excellent "Adywan" re-edit..not the travesty that Lucas has made of his signature work.

"Oh Please" and "Randy" are right.

How pathetically free of original thought do you need to be to write yet ANOTHER article that points out the same tired bullshit, again. Seriously, this used to be a place to go where you could read what was new or happening.

Frankly, I agree with almost everything on this list and I believe entirely that Lucas screwed up. So what! You know what this makes me? Common. "Han shoots first?" Christ, that happened almost 15 years ago. That's the best you can do having, like everyone else, read 1000 of these lists already.

Please, whoever is in charge, try and come up with stuff that isn't completely played out.

How do you make a name for yourself?

By pointing out the mistakes of George Lucas and telling him what he should do with his life. Too bad Jenna Busch wasn't around in the seventies to give Lucas advice, because then he might have become successful.

Right On Jenna! I have been saying this for years. Sure he has produced and came up with the stories fro some wonderful films. But come on The best two star wars films were not directed by him. You also forgot to mention how he is hell bent on destroying our childhood by "fixing" his "visions". Why must he tinker so... oh! because he has no more ideas. The young Indianna Jones Chronicles on DVD...Ruined By re arranging the order of the shows he has ruined the tempo and the excellent bookends for each episode. Plus the "clone wars" computer animated crap. What was wrong with Gendy Tartovsky's Cartoon? I'll tell you what was wrong with it, it was popular and so George Lucas couldn't stand to see something Star wars Being a success that didn't have his neck Roll sweat stain all over it.
Retire! And have a court order that does not allow him to touch his older work!

"7: Needs an estilist"

WHAT???

What a stupid reason to retire! You couldn't even write something better than that??

Lucas is a creative bussinessman who made very entertaining films and franchises. All of us have somehow enjoyed his work in a given moment of our lives, so... what do you want from him? To be like a "god", and give you lots of "perfect" stories and characters to base your life on them? Or to be an artist-who-dislike-money and create only fabulous artistics films without looking for money... ohhh please! Get a life! Try to think before writing! He is a good bussinessman, he did well with his (commercial) ideas, and everybody enjoyed that. And that's all!

This is really getting old. So fine, you didn't like the prequels. I did. I also loved the new Indiana Jones movie, because it was very much like the old ones.

The problem isn't with Lucas. Sure, not everything he does is perfect, but whose work ever is? The Clone Wars sucked. Return of the Jedi is quite flawed. (Yes, it is.) So what?

No, the problem is that it's become a fashion to bash Lucas because that proves how "adult" you are. That's what it is. A fashion. Ultimately, no matter what he does, he'll get trashed for it.

"Here are some more ideas for Ms. Busch to explore. SNL isn't as good as it used to be. Steve Martin isn't as funny now. Eddie Murphy makes bad movies."

Ha! Brilliant. Also

* What is the DEAL with TV Dinners?!
* Why is airline food so bad. Seriously, people, are you with me?
* Where does the other sock go when you do laundry?

Prequel-bashing is to sci-fi blogs what open mic night is to comedy clubs.

Thanks to the writer of this article for saying out loud what every fan with half a brain thinks !

The author's points in order:

1) Star Wars *is* better than American Graffiti. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't.

2) Howard the Duck would have worked if Lucas did what he promised to do: create new technology to make us believe in Howard. He didn't, and obviously had a midget in a duck suit. Lucas lies. A *lot*.

3) Willow is basically Star Wars episodes 4 - 6 in a fantasy setting. Guess what. Willow has a stronger ending than episode 6.

4) Agreed.

5) Agreed.

6) May actually be good. Hard to say.

7) I think George knows even a good stylist couldn't help. Where is Queer Eye For the Straight Guy when you need them?

8) I think you answered your own question here.

9) One female lead is all you really need.

Ha, this coming from someone that works for SciFi!!!

Start worrying about the "art" (aside from BSG) that you and your ilk unleash on the rest of the world than what someone else is doing, please.

Signed,
What the Frak did Flash Gordon ever do to you to have a show made like SciFi's "Flash Gordon"????

100% agree. These geek spastics on here don;t what they are talking about.

Some I agree on.

Most I don't.

And the one about the way he dresses just stops you from taking any of this seriously.

Also; The Clone Wars was a kid's movie... for kids. Why don't people get that. I'm not even going to see it.

He should never directed anything, everything named Star Wars is dumber then christianity. makes grown up people act like childs. go sit in a corner Lucas with your kiddie fans.

I don't know that he should retire unless, of course, he wants to. I do think, however, he should face his fears a bit and begin to explore again his vast creative potential. He did so with Howard and Willow and got bitch-slapped. So, he continues to drill-mine Star Wars and Indy with a modicum of success. I'd like to what else he's got in there.

You forgot to mention:

10. Star Wars: The Musical - It is reportedly opening this year in London, I believe. Supposedly, it is the symphony with Star Wars clips. This sounds uber-lame to me.

Hey! I liked Willow!! But seriously, George Lucas should retire for the simple fact that he doesn't really make any good new movies, he just tinkers too much with his old movies: Star Wars (obviously), Indiana Jones and THX 1138.

Dear Jenna. You're too addicted to Lucas' Star Wars, so when you have nothing new to tell about them - you start to blame Lucas. Get a life, find something else that will become your addiction - some MMOG or sci-fi reading - and leave George Lucas alone from your
insinuations.

With best regards from Belarus,
Fen.

Just Wanted To Say, Where's My Comment, I Took At Least 15mins Thinking About What I Could Post. And You Don't Post It. Sci-Fi Wire Sucks.

"Then the prequels and Jar Jar and midi-chlorians. Then Ahsoka, the perky teen Jedi. Then Ziro the Hutt. What next? Howard the Duck as a Jedi master?"

Funny - poor George. Poor world!

It's a small tragedy - or maybe larger than that - that the subtextual myth and magic of Star Wars 1 and 2 (1977 and 1980) were made so poisonously saccharin in all subsequent iterations. Many and many more thanks to the man for his gifts to the culture... that said, sometimes the greatest mark of talent is knowing the limits of one's own. It's a tough lesson...

Yes, Han shot first.... but what is the point of this article? When is the new series coming out? Will it be on Sci-Fi?

Tell the man to stop reworking is old stuff. But tell him to drift off into the past? Are you all fricking mad. A mind comes up in this world like his only once in a million or so.
He just needs to stop listening to his bean counters and start listening to us telling to get off his hairy ass and come up with some new stuff!

George Lucas is a genius!?!? REALLY!?!?

If so, why do EPs I. II, and III all feature technology far superior to EPs IV, V, VI?

Wouldn't his '"VISION" take that into consideration?

Although STAR WARS was very entertaining it still "borrowed" much from what came befor.

I read th article, agreed, disagreed, chuckled, etc., but felt no need to stoop to name calling to make myself feel better. To all of you who feel they have to throw their money at anything attatched to the STAR WARS logo, good for you, George will probably have to hire more people just to help him count it.

This is a little harsh. As a girl growing up in the 80's, George Lucas's films were the only ones I found to have strong women characters. I even appreciated the fact that he carried on the tradition of strong women characters in his "rip-off" from The Lord of the Rings. Little girls today are lucky that they have so many characters (in films) with which to identify. As a child in the 80's, I wasn't so fortunate. Of course, for this and other reasons, George Lucas was decades ahead of his time.

"Lucas started out directing artsy short films and then the much-loved American Graffiti. Then Star Wars--we refuse to call it Episode IV: A New Hope--which, let's be honest now, was pretty good, but not as good as Graffiti. Then nothing for 22 years."

Oh, shut up. TESB blows the original Star Wars out of water. FACT.