Why George Lucas snubs ‘Star Wars’ trailer

THE original ‘Star Wars’ creator, George Lucas, has revealed he hasn’t even watched the trailer for the upcoming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - DECEMBER 06: Director George Lucas (R) and wife Mellody Hobson attend the 'Selma' and the Legends Who Paved the Way gala at Bacara Resort on December 6, 2014 in Goleta, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

THE movie trailer for director JJ Abrams’ upcoming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is on pace to become the most-watched preview of all time online — with up to a reported 72 million views in one week. But one person who hasn’t seen the trailer?

George Lucas.

The original Star Wars creator astonishingly told the New York Post when we asked him what he thought of Abrams’ 88-second teaser that’s managed to dominated popular culture, “I don’t know anything about it. I haven’t seen it yet.”

Waiting ... George Lucas says he wants to see the new ‘Star Wars’ film on the big screen. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty

Fresh take ... director JJ Abrams is helming the first ‘Star Wars’ movie made since Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. Picture: AFP/Shaun Curry

When we further asked Lucas why he hasn’t seen the clip, he explained, “Because it’s not in the movie theatre. I like going to the movies and watching the whole thing there.

“I plan to see it when it’s released.”

The trailer was in fact shown in 30 North American theatres over Thanksgiving weekend, at the end of November. But if Lucas meant he’ll see the film when it is released, he’ll be waiting until a whole year from now.

Sneak peek ... a scene from the upcoming ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ expected in cinemas at the end of 2015. Picture: AP/LucasFilm/Disney

A year ago, Lucas’ son, Jett Lucas, said in an interview that his father, who is credited as a creative consultant on the new film, was “constantly talking to JJ,” and that “JJ was hand-picked.” But when we asked Lucas if he was curious to see what Abrams has done with the new Star Wars, Lucas said, “Not really.”

Among the countless YouTube spins on Abrams’ trailer, Funny or Die posted a video imagining Lucas’ unhappy reaction to the teaser.

Disney bought Lucasfilm for US$4 billion ($4.8 billion) in 2012, adding the Star Wars franchise, which had been wholly owned by Lucas, to its stable.

Teasers ... ‘Star Wars’ creator claims not to be curious to see what JJ Abrams has done with the new film in the series. Picture: AP Photo/LucasFilm/Disney

Jett said his dad was “very torn on the matter” of selling, and was working on his own new Star Wars films before the sale to Disney. He directed the last three Star Wars movies, from 1999 to 2005, after directing the 1977 original, and was an executive producer on all films in the franchise, till now. The newest was written by Abrams with Lawrence Kasdan.

Originally published as Why George Lucas snubs ‘Star Wars’ trailer