What is cinema? The technical meaning of cinema is rather simple— it is simply motion picture and George Lucas’ explanation of the same is quite similar. But over time the meaning and essence of cinema have taken different routes and explanations for which many filmmakers tend to move away from the inherent legacy the movie has created over the years, primarily with the raw emotions depicted in it without much of CGI intervention.
George Lucas. Image Credit: Joey Gannon/CC
Over the years, cinema technology has improved and now anything imaginable is filmable. The rise of Superhero movies, particularly Marvel Studios, dominated the box office and the studio has most of the movies as box-office hits. But such cinematic achievements were not glorious in the eyes of filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. Lucas has recently given his verdict on where he stands on the Scorsese vs Marvel debate.
George Lucas Commented On Martin Scorsese’s Anti-Marvel Stance
Martin Scorsese and George Lucas. Image Credit: Elena Ternovaja/CC & Nicolas Genin/CC
Alongside Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese has been a vehement critic of Marvel movies. The rise of superhero movies has certainly dominated the box office and it has been concerning for many filmmakers to put out their stories. However, Star Wars creator, George Lucas is not joining the league of Scorsese in his anti-Marvel campaign.
In a recent chat with Brut 9, the legendary filmmaker gave his honest verdict on the infamous debate. “Look. Cinema is the art of a moving image,” Lucas said. “So if the image moves, then it’s cinema. I think Marty has kind of changed his mind a little bit,” he added.
Lucas further revealed that the Taxi Driver director initially opposed the idea of making movies on digital but later changed his mind. Will Scorsese change his mind about Marvel movies? It’s hard to tell and considering his spite against the superhero brand, it will last long.
George Lucas Reflected On Movies And His Career
George Lucas. Image Credit: Joi Ito/CC By 2.0
Lucas has achieved almost everything a filmmaker can ever wish for, he is one of the two richest movie directors standing on the same line with another Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg with a $8 billion fortune to their credit. The director has also achieved several accolades. Lucas was recently honored at the 77th Cannes Festival with a Palme d’Or for his contribution to cinema. The director confirmed that he would not get back to the director’s chair. “No, I’m retired,” Lucas said.
The last movie “I did as a producer was a thing called Strange Magic,” the filmmaker said of his last movie adding, “which is an animated film. So I was doing movies that I wanted to do rather than …I was financing myself and had my own studio …” Now, the director’s prospect has changed, “I am building a museum in Los Angeles. It’s keeping me very busy.”
However, Lucas has found one fatal problem with the movies of today. “The stories they’re telling are just old movies,” he commented on Hollywood movies that have followed the trend of sequels and remakes. “‘Let’s do a sequel, let’s do another version of this movie’ … There’s no original thinking … The big studios, they don’t have an imagination.”
Lucas’ observation of the current trend is hard to refute considering the movie business is booming with the particular approach. But sadly, Lucas is done with movies but fans have his long and astounding legacy to celebrate.
