Lucas, George (1944-…), is an American motion-picture producer, director, and writer. He wrote and directed the science-fiction fantasy Star Wars (1977), one of the most popular films in movie history. The film became an international success because of its creative special effects, appealing characters, and suspenseful story of good versus evil. Lucas produced two sequels to Star Wars. They were The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). Lucas directed three “prequels” that deal with events leading up to the Star Wars story. They are Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith (2005).
Lucas produced the popular movies Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and was an executive producer for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). He also co-wrote and served as an executive producer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). All four were directed by his friend Steven Spielberg. The films reflect the love both men feel for the action-packed adventure movies of their youth. In 1971, Lucas founded Lucasfilm Ltd. This company includes Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a company that creates special visual effects for motion pictures, and LucasArts, which produces electronic game programs. In 2012, Lucas sold Lucasfilm Ltd. to the Walt Disney Company.
George Walton Lucas, Jr., was born in Modesto, California, on May 14, 1944. He won a national student film competition in 1967 for his short film Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138-4EB. He was coauthor and director of a feature-length version of the work, THX 1138 (1971). Lucas also served as coauthor and director of American Graffiti (1973). This film about teenagers in the early 1960’s reflects his own high school years. Lucas has also produced a number of other films, including the fantasy film Willow (1988) and the action adventure Red Tails (2012). He became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2015.
See also Motion picture (A new generation of filmmakers) .
