Robert Watts, Producer of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Has Died at 86

Robert Watts, Producer of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Has Died at 86

As a lifelong film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for the remarkable career of Robert Watts. Born just before the outbreak of World War II, he navigated through the tumultuous times of the 20th century to become an integral part of some of the most iconic films in cinematic history.


86-year-old British film producer, Robert Watts, who played a significant role in bringing both Star Wars and Indiana Jones to the big screen, has sadly passed away. This news was shared by Roger Christian, a friend of Watts, who posted on social media: “I’ve just learned that my dear friend Robert Watts has passed. Amongst others, Robert was one of five key individuals who supported George Lucas and our small art department to bring Star Wars to life. Robert held strong spiritual beliefs, and we formed a deep bond beyond friendship. I had the privilege of interviewing him for my documentary Galaxy built on hope, and his wisdom will be missed. #starwars

As a gamer speaking in first person, here’s how I might rephrase that:

Between his work on various Star Wars projects, Watts took on roles as an associate producer for the initial Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and later ascended to full production for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and its successor, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). This experience on the Indiana Jones movies allowed Watts to establish a partnership with director Steven Spielberg, who subsequently presented further opportunities for Watts. These included producing Robert Zemeckis’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit, co-producing the sequel to An American Tail, Fievel Goes West, and Frank Marshall’s survival biopic Alive.

Robert Watts, Producer of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Has Died at 86

In the ’90s, I had the opportunity to work on Steven Seagal’s only directorial venture, “On Deadly Ground” (1994). Despite its rough reception from critics and brief tenure at the box office, my body of work by that time ensured a lasting impact on cinema and pop culture. My influence will never fade away.

Robert Watts, born in London in 1938 prior to World War II, served two years in the British military at age 20, followed by a career in film. His first break came as an assistant for the renowned UK filmmaking duo, the Boulting brothers, during the production of “A French Mistress”. Over time, he moved up the ranks from runner to production manager at a company situated at Shepperton Studios, a British studio known for producing TV ads and documentaries. Following this, Watts became a second assistant director on the 1964 film “Man in the Middle”, which opened doors for him to work as a production manager and location manager during the 1960s, with notable credits such as James Bond’s “Thunderball” and Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Throughout the 1970s, he worked on various films that were modestly successful at best. However, his life and career took a dramatic turn when he joined the set of Star Wars, experiencing a complete transformation thereafter.

Farewell, Roger Watts – Our sympathies go out to his dear friends, work associates, and loved ones during this difficult period of loss.

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2024-10-01 20:11