George Lucas turned to the Dark Side long before Phantom Menace

Posted on August 19, 2010 in Outtakes | 1 Comment

In an interview with the LA Times, Star Wars producer and second unit director Gary Kurtz talks about how Return of the Jedi became mired in merchandising.

…There was a bittersweet tinge to Kurtz’s voice, and it’s no surprise. This year is the 30th anniversary of “The Empire Strikes Back,” the “Star Wars” sequel that many fans consider the pinnacle moment in a franchise that has pulled in $16 billion in box office and merchandising. But 1980 was also the year that Kurtz and Lucas realized the Jedi universe wasn’t big enough for the both of them.
- LA Times | Read the Full Article