The movie trailer for director J.J. 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 Page Six when we asked him what he thought of Abrams’ 88-second teaser that’s managed to dominate popular culture, “I don’t know anything about it. I haven’t seen it yet.”
When we further asked Lucas why he hasn’t seen the clip, he explained, “Because it’s not in the movie theater. 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 theaters over Thanksgiving weekend by the Regal Entertainment, AMC, Cinemark and Carmike Cinemas chains. But if Lucas meant he’ll see the film when it is released, he’ll be waiting until a whole year from now.
A year ago, Lucas’ son, Jett Lucas, said in an interview that his dad, who’s credited as a creative consultant on the new film, was “constantly talking to J.J.,” and that “J.J. was handpicked.” 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 $4 billion in 2012, adding the “Star Wars” franchise, which had been wholly owned by Lucas, to its stable.
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, until now. The newest was written by Abrams with Lawrence Kasdan.
Lucas spoke to us at Bloomberg Businessweek’s 85th anniversary, which he attended with his wife, DreamWorks Animation chairwoman Mellody Hobson.