Despite the success met by Disney's December hit movie "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," original helmer George Lucas, who sold the franchise several years ago is not a fan of the movie.
He criticized the film for taking a "retro" approach and even went as far as comparing Disney to "white slavers."
Now, Lucas is backtracking from his comments and has made an apology for all the hurt and confusion his words have caused.
"I misspoke and used a very inappropriate analogy and for that I apologize," Lucas said in a statement provided to The Playlist. "I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of Star Wars because of my great respect for the company and (Disney CEO) Bob Iger's leadership. Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise."
Lucas then added that he rarely makes an effort to clarify his feelings, but he feels it is important now.
"I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions in film, television and the parks. Most of all I'm blown away with the record breaking blockbuster success of the new movie and am very proud of J.J. (Abrams, The Force Awakens director) and Kathy (Kennedy, Lucasfilm president and Star Wars brand manager)."
Earlier, Lucas shared his dismay on the disagreements he encountered with Disney. When he sold the franchise to them for $4 billion, they all decided that it would be best if he take his hands off the franchise moving forward because there were some things that they did not agree on.
"They decided they didn't want to use those stories, they decided they were going to do their own thing... They weren't that keen to have me involved anyway, but if I get in there, I'm just going to cause trouble, because they're not going to do what I want them to do. And I don't have the control to do that anymore, and all I would do is muck everything up," he said.
He then likened the old "Star Wars" movies to his "kids" and then made a comment about selling the franchise to "white slavers."
Disney has big plans for the franchise and has already lined up the next few movies. There is also a spinoff film due this December 2016 called "Star Wars: Rogue One."
