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Star Wars creator George Lucas knew older fans would reject the prequel trilogy, but his real goal was winning over kids
George Lucas told the Star Wars cast that it was okay if adults hated the prequels, because the target audience was 8-year-olds
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Every generation has their own version of Star Wars - and, since the franchise offered up a second trilogy at the turn of the century, every generation also has a version of Star Wars they reject, as well. It’s no secret that the prequel trilogy got its fair share of hate during its original theatrical run. None of this was a surprise for George Lucas, who created and directed the films. Indeed, according to one Star Wars cast member, Lucas always accepted the fact that adults wouldn’t get it, but that was okay, because they weren’t his target audience.
“It is great that you guys and your relations, old and young, have made it last,” Emperor Palpatine actor Ian McDiarmid says during a panel at Spacecon 2026. “He wasn’t that sure that the prequels were going to move things forward in terms of audiences. And he saw early on, well, maybe his generation, my generation really, who saw the original movies will be a bit picky. And they were actually, but the kids weren’t. The kids were completely knocked out by it. And he said, ‘Well, I make these films for everybody, but if an 8-year-old is happy, I’ll feel I’ve done my work.’ And that’s what happened with the prequels.”
Those kids have now grown up, and the conversation surrounding the prequel trilogy has changed, with audiences being more kind to it. It makes me wonder how the sequel trilogy will be perceived 20 years from now after its own audience has matured.
All of Star Wars (with the exception of The Mandalorian & Grogu, currently in theaters) is available to stream on Disney+. Think of them as important historical documents, and a guidebook to where the nostalgia of the future is going to come from.
Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.
About Spacecon
SPACECON is America’s newest comic con created by PMX Events. Attendees will see celebrity guests from the likes of Star Wars, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy and other intergalactic movies and TV shows. Con goers will discover an immersive show experience to get up-close and personal with their favorite celebrities, voice artists, and comic artists with hundreds of exhibitors and special attractions to exhilarate any fandom.
Dates
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Location
San Antonio, Texas
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