Steven Allan Spielberg KBE (is an American film director and producer.
In 1980, Spielberg directed Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), which Lucas executive produced. The pair went on to work together to produce and create the stories for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).
Biography
Spielberg was indirectly involved with aspects of production of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (then titled simply Star Wars). Spielberg introduced Lucas to John Williams, who would go on to create the musical score for many of their films. Spielberg attended and enjoyed an early screening of the film. Lucas and Spielberg agreed to exchange shares in the profits of one another's films: Spielberg got a small percentage of the profits of Star Wars, while Lucas would get a similar share of the profits of Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Spielberg continues to make money from the film.[1]
During the animatic stage of of Revenge of the Sith, Lucas invited Spielberg to "play with" a bit of the Mustafar duel, and Yoda's duel with the Emperor, along with a couple of others, according to The Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith. According to the Star Wars Blu-ray release, Spielberg oversaw the animatic of an extended chase scene between Grievous and Obi-Wan on Utapau.
Being friends for years, Spielberg and Lucas have often traded references to each other's previous works in their films. For example, Indiana Jones is seen fleeing a nightclub named "Club Obi-Wan" in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In Spielberg's film, E. T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Elliot showed some action figures, including Greedo, Hammerhead, Walrusman, Snaggletooth, Lando Calrissian, and Boba Fett, to the alien of the film's title; later, E.T. met a child dressed as Yoda, whom he thinks is another alien, on the street during Halloween. In The Phantom Menace, several members of E.T.'s species were visible in one of the floating pods in the Senate room, and Senator Grebleips was named for Spielberg. Steven Spielberg made more films, like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Jaws, and The Adventures of Tintin.
In January, 2001, Spielberg was made an honorary Knight of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the United Kingdom's film industry.[2]
Sources
"Looking At Lucasfilm" — The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 1
"Mark Hamill: 10 Years Later" — The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 3
"George Lucas: The Force Behind Lucasfilm" — The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 6
- The Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars in 100 Scenes
"Revenge of the Sith: In Their Own Words" — Star Wars Insider 157
"Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 165
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – The Official Collector's Edition
- Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian: Making of the Season 2 Finale
"Lucasfilm: 50 Years of Innovation" — Star Wars Insider 207
SWCA 2022: 5 Creative Lessons Behind the Making of Star Tours on StarWars.com (backup link)
Light & Magic Trailer, Official Poster Debut on StarWars.com (backup link)
This Week! in Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi Dark Side Props, Emmy Nominations, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
"Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 213
Star Wars: Best of 2022 on StarWars.com (backup link)
A Scoundrel's Origin Story Revealed in Marvel's Star Wars: Sana Starros on StarWars.com (backup link)
"It's a Hit!" — Star Wars Insider 218
Jedi at 40 | Into the Rancor Pit with Dennis Muren and Phil Tippett on StarWars.com (backup link)
This Week! in Star Wars Harrison Ford Reflects on Playing Indiana Jones, New Adventures Come to the Disney Parks, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Phantom at 25 | Sound-mixing The Phantom Menace with Gary Rydstrom on StarWars.com (backup link)
In Music By John Williams, A New Documentary Chronicles the Maestro on StarWars.com (backup link)
Music By John Williams | Official Trailer | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Phantom at 25 | Iain McCaig Talks Darth Maul, Queen Amidala, and working with George Lucas on StarWars.com (backup link)
"Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 229
Welcome to the Worlds of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: An Interview with Doug Chiang and Oliver Scholl on StarWars.com (backup link)
Star Wars Year in Review 2024 on StarWars.com (backup link)
Matte Paintings and Models: The Visual Effects of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on StarWars.com (backup link)
Directed By… : Meet the Filmmakers of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew on StarWars.com (backup link)
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew | Behind the Design | Disney+ on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ How Steven Spielberg Made Millions Off 'Star Wars' After A 1977 Bet With George Lucas by Frank Pallotta on Business Insider (March 26, 2014) (backup link archived on January 31, 2018)
- ↑ Spielberg receives KBE for services to British film on The Guardian (backup link)