Why George Lucas Won't Have Say In New 'Star Wars' Film
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS News) -- For the first time in 'Star Wars' history, George Lucas won't have a say in how the "soap opera" of the franchise plays out, and the filmmaker opened up about the fallout after selling the rights to Disney.
"The issue was ultimately, they looked at the stories, and the said, 'we want to make something for the fans.' So, I said, 'all I want to do is tell a story,'" Lucas said. "I call it a space opera, but people don't realize it's actually a soap opera."
J.J. Abrams will direct "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens."
Lucas likened the split to a breakup with a lover.
"It really does compound to a simple rule of life, which is when you break up with someone - no phone calls. The second rule is you don't over to their house and drive by to see what they're doing. The third one is you don't show up at their coffee shop, or their thing, and what, you're gonna burn it? You just say 'nope, gone, history, I'm moving forward,'" Lucas said.
Lucas must have seen the breakup coming, telling Charlie Rose "they weren't that keen to have me involved anyway," Lucas said.