George Lucas Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

George Lucas returned to the Cannes Croisette for the first time since 1971 this week to receive an honorary Palme d’Or. So what did the 80-year-old director say about his career as he talked to a packed audience at the Debussy Theater after accepting the prize? Well, to the surprise of no one, THR reports that he mainly talked about “Star Wars.” Along the way, Lucas defended the prequel trilogy, his continual updates to the original trilogy, and lamented how Disney misused his ideas after he sold Lucasfilm to the company in 2012 for $4.05 billion.

George Lucas is defending the Star Wars franchise against criticism that he cast “all white men” in the movies.

The stars showed out in some of their best looks yet to attend the closing ceremony of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Star Wars creator George Lucas was fêted with an Honorary Palme d’Or at this evening’s Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony.

Star Wars films were “all white”, countering that “most of the people are aliens”.Lucas was the executive producer, writer and director of the Star Wars franchise up until Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005, and also conceived and produced the Indiana Jones film series.Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival after receiving an honorary Palme d’Or Award, he responded to the accusation directly.“They would say, ‘It’s all white men’,” he said (via Variety). “Most of the people are aliens!”“The idea is you’re supposed to accept people for what they are, whether they’re big and furry or whether they’re green or whatever.

“We weren’t really that interested in making money, we were interested in making movies,” said Star Wars franchise architect George Lucas about the early days of his career with mentor Francis Ford Coppola in a Cannes sit down discussion today.

The Megalopolis parties and debates last week generously fed Cannes’ appetite for media buzz. Fest-goers were reminded that Francis Coppola’s journey had been a thrill ride for those who witnessed it, invested in it or were impacted by its turmoil.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Actor Lee Jung-jae will attend the Monte-Carlo Television Festival next month for the French press launch of Lucasfilm’s latest live-action series “Star Wars: The Acolyte,” which streams on Disney+. In the show, Lee plays a Jedi Master. It was his role in the globally successful Netflix series “Squid Game” that first catapulted Lee’s career to an international level.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor Fred Roos, casting director for landmark films such as “American Graffiti” and who went on to have a close relationship with Francis Ford Coppola, including producing best picture winner “Godfather Part II” and “Apocalypse Now,” died Saturday in Beverly Hills. He was 89.

Skywalker Ranch, located roughly 40 minutes north of San Francisco, from 6 p.m. to midnight. Owned by Lucas, Skywalker Ranch is home to a main house, the man-made Lake Ewok, and Skywalker Sound, the 153,000-square-foot postproduction facility that has a 300-seat theater.

Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace” debuted on May 19, 1999, few movies before (or since) were greeted with more fevered anticipation. Not only was the movie the first new “Star Wars” movie in a generation, but it was touted as the first of a prequel trilogy charting the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Knight fated to turn to the dark side as Darth Vader.

Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards and Features Editor Ron Howard first attended the Cannes Film Festival with his 1988 fantasy-adventure “Willow,” and he’ll never forget his first walk up the stairs at the Palais des Festivals, where the film premiered out of competition. “I remember that first time so vividly,” he says, more than 25 years later. “And what I really remember is how fun it was.” Howard would return over the years as an Oscar-winning director and super-producer (with Brian Grazer) behind Imagine Entertainment.

Carolyn Giardina A half-century ago when George Lucas decided to make “Star Wars,” a core visual effects team was handed a sizable challenge: Figure out a believable way to transport audiences to a galaxy far, far away. Essential to that goal was the development of a new type of motion control camera system: built in a Van Nuys warehouse where the production filmed space-set scenes such as the climatic trench run.

In honor of Star Wars Day, we looked at all of the actors that Hayden Christensen competed with join the Star Wars family.

Katcy Stephan Hollywood’s next bidding war is about to erupt. “Eruption,” the much-discussed upcoming volcano disaster novel from the late Michael Crichton and James Patterson, is about to be brought to auction, attracting a large group of suitors keen on landing the sought-after film rights.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Meryl Streep will receive the honorary Palme d’Or on the opening night of the 77th edition of Cannes Film Festival, Variety has learned. Luring the Oscar winner is yet another feat for this Cannes edition, which will bring together a flurry Hollywood legends. Notably, George Lucas will receive the honorary Palme d’Or during the closing ceremony; Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” and Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada” are playing in competition; and George Miller‘s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and Kevin Costner’s Western epic “Horizon, an American Saga” are playing out of competition.

Warwick Davis' children have shared a message on his behalf as he sparked concern days after confirming the tragic death of his beloved wife. The Harry Potter star has since paid tribute to his 'favourite human', Samantha, who died on March 24, aged 53.

Warwick Davis' wife Samantha shared a touching message to her children just weeks before her untimely death, expressing her pride and love for them. Harry Potter actor Warwick announced the heartbreaking news that his wife Samantha had passed away at the age of 53 on 24 March. In a statement filled with sorrow, he said: "Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family.

the BBC, revealing that his wife, whom he referred to as his “favorite person,” had died on March 24. He did not disclose the cause of death.“Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family,” the actor, 54, told the outlet.

Warwick Davis' wife Samantha has died aged 53. The Harry Potter star has since paid tribute to his 'favourite human', who died on March 24.

Hunter Schafer is a jaw-dropping beauty on the red carpet!

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent In what looks to be another robust year in the making, the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will bring together several iconic filmmakers, including Francis Ford Coppola with “Megalopolis” starring Adam Driver, George Miller with “Furiosa” starring Anya Taylor-Joy, as well as George Lucas who will be feted with an honorary Palme d’Or. Kevin Costner will also be on hand with the first installment of his Western epic “Horizon, an American Saga.” Hollywood may have a lighter presence due to a combination of factors – including last year’s actors and writers strikes, which created production delays, as well as a tough economy — but this year’s festival will see no shortage of glamor and stars on the red carpet.

Edgar Burcksen, a veteran TV and film editor who won an Emmy for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, worked at Industrial Light & Magic and was a longtime American Cinema Editors board member, has died. He was 76. 

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent George Lucas, the iconic filmmaker behind the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises, will receive the Honorary Palme d’Or on May 25 during the Closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival. “The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart,” said Lucas in a statement.

Selena Kuznikov Edgar Burcksen, longtime editor of features, documentaries, and TV series, died Sunday in Los Angeles of complications of a heart attack. He was 76. Burcksen won an Emmy for editing the pilot of “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” as well as an ACE Robert Wise award.

The Matrix fans have vowed not to watch the franchise’s forthcoming movie, after it was announced that the fifth instalment would not be directed by creators Lana and Lily Wachowski.Earlier this week, Warner Bros. confirmed that a new movie is in development, with The Martian‘s Drew Goddard set to direct.The upcoming sequel will be the first film in the series not to be directed by Lana or Lily Wachowski, although the former is attached as an executive producer.“If it ain’t Wachowski I will not watchski,” posted one fan on X (formerly Twitter), while as another added: “I was fine with a new Star Wars without George Lucas, but a new Matrix without either of the Wachowski sisters feels deeply sacrilegious.”if it ain’t wachowski I will not watchskihttps://t.co/wC2AIHXMHX— Joshua Rivera (@jmrivera02) April 3, 2024I was fine with a new Star Wars without George Lucas, but a new Matrix without either of the Wachowski sisters feels deeply sacrilegious.

final night of their farewell tour in December at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden, they ended by revealing digitized avatars of themselves.The cutting-edge technology was created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with Pophouse. The two companies recently teamed up for the “ABBA Voyage” show in London, in which fans could attend a full concert by the Swedish band in their heyday, as performed by their own digital avatars.The ways in which Kiss’ avatars will be utilized has yet to be announced, but Pophouse CEO Per Sundin says fans can expect a biopic, a documentary and a Kiss experience on the horizon.An avatar show is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2027 — but don’t expect it to look anything like “ABBA Voyage,” Sundin told the AP.

Star Wars franchise filmmaker George Lucas has been revealed as the richest celebrity in the world.The director, 79, who has accumulated a $5.5billion fortune, topped the annual Forbes list of celebrity billionaires.Lucas, who was the executive producer, writer and director of the Star Wars franchise up until Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005, also produced the Indiana Jones film series.His production company, Lucasfilm was sold to Disney in 2012 for $4billion, and has produced the later films in the Star Wars series, along with other projects.In his early career, Lucas wrote and directed the 1973 hit, American Graffiti, for which he received Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Picture.But it was 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, the first film in the franchise, which would secure his success, becoming the highest-grossing film at the time and winning six Oscars, as well as nominations for Best Picture and Best Director.Lucasfilm have also produced two upcoming Star Wars spin-off series, The Acolyte, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, both scheduled for release this year.Sitting at second place on the list is celebrated director of Jaws, E.T: The Extra Terrestrial and Jurassic Park, Steven Spielberg, with a hefty $4.8billion.Others in the top 20 list include NBA star Michael Jordan, broadcaster Oprah Winfrey, Lord Of The Rings creator Peter Jackson, and singer Taylor Swift.Swift appeared on the annual list for the first time, in 14th place, following reports by Bloomberg last October that she had become a billionaire.The singer, 34, has broken multiple streaming, box-office and ticket sale records in the past year with the success of her global tour and the release of the concert film, Tay

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor The University of Southern California has unveiled its new Dramatic Arts Building in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Set to open on April 13, the School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) revitalized one of the university’s oldest and most historical buildings on campus, the University of Southern California UUC (United University Church), to create a new home for art students and faculty.

Steven Spielberg has shared high praise for Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune: Part Two – see what Spielberg had to say below.Both Spielberg and Villeneuve recently appeared together on the March 26 episode of The Director’s Cut podcast, during which Spielberg shared his thoughts on Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic, Dune.“It’s an honour for me to sit here and talk to you,” Spielberg said to Villeneuve. “Let me start by saying there are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds.