Bound by a decades-long friendship, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have consistently stood by each other’s sides, offering mutual backing for their respective careers. However, a notable incident arose when Lucas influenced Spielberg to make an alteration to one of his own films. Regrettably, the aftermath left Spielberg with a profound sense of dissatisfaction concerning the final outcome.
Spielberg’s recognition of Lucas’ prowess in filmmaking began during their early years. The director of Close Encounters first caught wind of Lucas’ talent when the latter unveiled his film THX-1138 at a film festival held at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Why Was Steven Spielberg Jealous Of George Lucas
While Steven Spielberg was undoubtedly captivated by the feature, he openly confessed to experiencing a simultaneous tinge of envy towards the project. Recognizing a burgeoning wave of emerging talent from institutions like NYU, USC, and UCLA, THX-1138 triggered a profound realization for Spielberg.
He revealed that the film’s impact ran deep, stirring envy within him. At eighteen, having directed fifteen short films, he acknowledged that the potency of THX-1138 surpassed the collective quality of his own works. These sentiments were recounted in a statement attributed to Spielberg by The Bearded Trio.
“I realized that there was an entire generation coming out of NYU, USC, and UCLA. THX-1138 made me jealous to the marrow of my bones. I was eighteen years old and had directed fifteen short films by that time, and this little movie was better than all of my movies combined,” Spielberg said.
Their camaraderie didn’t truly solidify until George Lucas encountered Spielberg’s work Duel. The film made such an indelible impression on Lucas that it heightened his intrigue not only in the project itself but also in the creative force behind it.
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Spielberg’s penchant for exhilarating escapades rendered him a prime contender for the endeavor. Despite this, James Bond producers held reservations that his polished and youthful filmmaking style might not align with their envisioned direction. Discouraged by this response, Spielberg opted for a hiatus, seeking solace in Hawaii. It was there that fate intervened, leading him to cross paths with George Lucas, who had just completed Star Wars in 1977.
George Lucas recalled,
“Steven was telling me how he really wanted to do a James Bond film, and that he actually went to the people who owned James Bond and asked them if he could direct one … and they turned him down.”
Fortuitously, destiny had alternate arrangements in store for Spielberg, orchestrated by a timely proposition from his friend that perfectly matched the acclaimed director’s talents. Through a stroke of serendipity, all the elements harmoniously aligned, propelling Spielberg onto a fresh and enthralling trajectory.
Source: The Bearded Trio
