Total Film reports that George Lucas is still heavily involved with the new Star Wars sequels, despite selling his beloved Star Wars franchise to the House of Mouse last year. According to his son Jett, George is acting as a consultant at all stages of the production and has made himself available to new director J.J. Abrams should he need him. This clears up months of speculation as to how involved Lucas would be - if at all - with the next generation of Star Wars movies. In an interview with
Flicks and the City Jett talked about how his father was already working on ideas for new movies in the Star Wars saga long before the sale to Disney was announced.
"We knew probably a year prior , he had started writing and researching, starting his whole little process. He's constantly talking to J.J. Obviously J.J. was hand picked. is there to guide, whenever, he'll help where he can. At the same time, he wants to let it go and become its new generation."
The shocking news that Disney had purchased Star Wars production company Lucasfilm broke late last year when the House of Mouse announced they would be relaunching the Star Wars franchise with a string of sequels beginning in 2015. The sale was valued at $4.5 billion with Lucas receiving half in cash and the other half in Disney shares. Details of where the transaction left Lucas in terms of his beloved franchise were never made clear but it appears he will still be credited as at least a producer when the new trilogy hits cinemas. Whether Lucas' involvement is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen. On the one hand it will protect the canon of the Star Wars Universe by having its creator on board but given the lacklustre response to his prequels it could be seen as a negative in which Lucas just cannot let go of a world he lost touch with 3 decades ago. What do you think of Lucas's involvement? Tell us, below. Star Wars: Episode VII will arrive in cinemas in 2015.