Movies - TV
George Lucas Didn't Consider Luke Skywalker
The Main Character Of His Star Wars Saga
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
It’s easy to mistake Luke Skywalker as the protagonist of the “Star Wars” movies since much of the story is told from his perspective, and he’s a key figure in the narrative.
However, George Lucas maintains that the first six “Star Wars” movies were, in fact, specifically about Darth Vader, the mysterious masked right-hand of the Emperor.
The prequel trilogy introduces Anakin Skywalker, who will eventually become Darth Vader, thereby retroactively changing the entire saga and centering the antagonist.
With this new shift, the story also focuses on the theme of parenthood, with Luke trying to redeem his father and Princess Leia fighting for the Republic as her mother did.
The prequels recontextualize the earlier films, adding details that make the original trilogy seem more complex and meaningful — one particular scene was exciting for Lucas.
Both Princess Leia and Darth Vader are present in the first moments of “A New Hope,” which may leave some viewers wondering if the two will learn the truth about their connection.
Lucas added, “The first three episodes are a tragedy, and the second three go slightly goofy, but they’re inspirational: Even the worst, most evil people find compassion.”
This focus on Vader seems not to have been Lucas’ original plan, with the filmmaker admitting he never intended on making a saga nor planned for the character to be Luke’s father.