Marcia Lucas, the Oscar-winning editor credited with being one of the key creative forces behind the success of the original Star Wars film, has died. Lucas played an important role in the editing of the classic and is considered by many film experts as the great hero behind the franchise. She died on Wednesday at the age of 80.
Death
Lucas was married to from 1969 to 1983 Star Wars-creator George Lucas. During their marriage, the couple adopted daughter Amanda Lucas, who later became a professional kickboxer. Although their marriage ended shortly after the release of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983), Marcia’s influence on the film series remained undeniable. She died at her vacation home in Rancho Mirage, California, from metastatic cancer.
Big influence
Lucas’ death was announced by a family lawyer.
Her influence on the film world is indelible, but those who know her best will especially remember how she made life more lively, more beautiful, more fun and more loving. Lucas’ work was characterized by emotional intelligence, rhythm and humanity, a rare ability to find the truth of a scene and bring it to the screen with heart, momentum and clarity.
Lucas met ex-husband George in 1967 while working on the documentary Journey to the Pacific. Both worked as student editors under Verna Fields. Two years later they tied the knot and together they would become one of the most influential creative duos in Hollywood. Lucas advised George to have Obi-Wan Kenobi return as a spiritual guide to Luke Skywalker after his death, a choice that later became an important part of the saga. She also edited the iconic attack on the Death Star and contributed to classics such as Taxi Driver (1976), American Graffiti (1973) in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974).
8.6 Watch on Disney+ • The film is set around the Death Star space station, which is capable of destroying an entire planet. Luke Skywalker works for his aunt and uncle on the planet Tatooine, who are murdered by Imperial forces.
Beeld: Still ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’ via TMDb
