Prior to taking on the directing role for “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” Ron Howard sought advice from George Lucas. What Lucas shared might stir controversy among some Star Wars fans, but there’s a lot of merit in his words. In an interview with Vulture, Howard discussed the unconventional circumstances leading him to Solo, a spinoff initially led by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The Academy Award-winning director recounted a conversation he had with Lucas, emphasizing the importance of remembering the core demographic for the franchise.
Howard mentioned that he had a conversation with someone at an earlier point, when he was contemplating the idea. This individual wasn’t regularly involved in the projects, but they advised Howard, ‘Remember this – it’s intended for 12-year-olds.’
Right from the start, Lucas designed Star Wars with a focus on engaging younger audiences. One reason Yoda speaks in his unique way is to ensure that listeners – especially those around 12 years old – pay close attention to what he says. Additionally, Lucas didn’t worry much about criticism towards Jar Jar Binks because he anticipated that the children who grew up with the prequels and cherished Jar Jar would eventually pass on their affection for him to the next generation. Ahmed Best referred to Lucas as a “visionary” for thinking ahead in such a manner.
Lucas’ guidance didn’t seem to have a significant impact on the success of Solo. Despite receiving mostly positive criticism, the spinoff struggled at the box office, making it the first Star Wars movie to face financial losses. The numerous challenges that occurred behind-the-scenes ultimately proved insurmountable. Following Solo’s failure, Disney temporarily halted production on future Star Wars films. Next year’s The Mandalorian & Grogu will mark the franchise’s return to the big screen since 2019.
Star Wars has consistently captivated audiences across generations, with its ability to resonate strongly with both young and old. Notably, certain productions have demonstrated that a mature narrative style can significantly enhance the storytelling in specific scenarios (such as the series “Star Wars: Andor”). This suggests that while Star Wars initially targeted children as its primary audience, it’s clear that it transcends age boundaries. The original Star Wars film was designed like a magical fairy tale, intended to engage younger viewers with a captivating world filled with memorable characters, imaginative creatures, and thrilling action. By tapping into the imagination of kids, Lucas played a significant role in launching Star Wars to global stardom.
It’s possible that Hollywood franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe, may have strayed from George Lucas’ original vision. Lately, the Marvel movies haven’t been performing exceptionally well at the box office, and some argue this might be due to a decline in appeal for younger audiences. However, it’s important to note that not all successful films are aimed at children or rated PG. The TV series Andor, for instance, was praised for its unique approach, but movies, which heavily rely on ticket sales, often require the interest of young viewers as well to be a massive success in all age demographics (referred to as a “four-quadrant hit”).
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2025-08-16 00:23