A filmmaker, visionary, and entrepreneur, George Lucas has not only changed the way we experience film and filmmaking, but also revolutionized film industry practices and standards. George Lucas, on an economic, aesthetic, and cultural level, has contributed more than any other individual to the shaping of the New Hollywood and is one of the most important figures in film history. His contribution to the film industry and our culture can be defined as the "Lucas Effect." Until now Lucas' work has been studied categorically. That is, popular books have been written that focus specifically on his life, his marketing skills, his films, his fans, or his various business accomplishments and practices. This is the first book to weave these threads together into a cohesive, rigorous study that illustrates the far reaching impact and importance of his creative genius. This book is important not only for film academics, students of film criticism and theory, popular culture scholars, and film devotees, but also for industry power brokers, Lucas fans and anyone who is interested in the work, life, and legacy of one of film's most important visionaries, George Lucas.

This revised and updated edition of Charles Champlin's insightful study of George Lucas includes 85 new illustrations and brings the story of this remarkable man and his innovative empire up to the present. 290 illustrations, 130 in full color.

The essential biography of the influential and beloved filmmaker George Lucas. On May 25, 1977, a problem-plagued, budget-straining independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theaters. Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, the movie originally called The Star Wars quickly drew blocks-long lines, bursting box-office records and ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. It is now one of the most adored-and successful-movie franchises of all time. Now, the author of the bestselling biography Jim Henson delivers a long-awaited, revelatory look into the life and times of the man who created Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Indiana Jones. If Star Wars wasn't game-changing enough, Lucas went on to create another blockbuster series with Indiana Jones, and he completely transformed the world of special effects and the way movies sound. His innovation and ambition forged Pixar and Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and THX sound. Lucas's colleagues and competitors offer tantalizing glimpses into his life. His entire career has been stimulated by innovators including Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola, actors such as Harrison Ford, and the very technologies that enabled the creation of his films-and allowed him to keep tinkering with them long after their original releases. Like his unforgettable characters and stories, his influence is unmatched.

A filmmaker, visionary, and entrepreneur, George Lucas has not only changed the way we experience film and filmmaking, but also revolutionized film industry practices and standards. George Lucas, on an economic, aesthetic, and cultural level, has contributed more than any other individual to the shaping of the New Hollywood and is one of the most important figures in film history. His contribution to the film industry and our culture can be defined as the "Lucas Effect." Until now Lucas' work has been studied categorically. That is, popular books have been written that focus specifically on his life, his marketing skills, his films, his fans, or his various business accomplishments and practices. This is the first book to weave these threads together into a cohesive, rigorous study that illustrates the far reaching impact and importance of his creative genius. This book is important not only for film academics, students of film criticism and theory, popular culture scholars, and film devotees, but also for industry power brokers, Lucas fans and anyone who is interested in the work, life, and legacy of one of film's most important visionaries, George Lucas.

George Lucas is one of the most wealthy and privileged Hollywood director/producers. A complex man who would have us believe he stumbled into commercial movie making and that in his heart he would sooner make art-house movies for a small audience.What truth is there in this and the many stories told about this reclusive intense filmmaker? In this penetrating book Chris Salewicz gets behind the stories of the making of his movies.Chris Salewicz has over the last twenty years worked on MTV and written books, and scripts for television. His books include McCartney, Bob Marley Sons of Freedom, Jimi Hendrix and Oliver Stone: Close Up.

These days it's hard to find someone who hasn't seen the Star Wars and Indiana Jones trilogies. Now the man behind those epic movies and numerous other blockbuster hits comes alive in this definitive biography that traces a shy, ambitious film student's transformation into one of the industry's most influential leaders. Acclaimed biographer John Baxter uncovers the roots of Lucas's enigmatic genius and independent spirit and shows how he joined with other idealists to found the new Hollywood, an effort that paved the way for the event picture, the phenomenon of product licensing, and ultimately the finest visual effects studio in the world. Drawing upon voluminous research and interviews with Lucas's friends and colleagues, Baxter gives us the clearest picture yet of an icon of popular culture who is recognized by many but understood by precious few.