George Lucas Apologizes For Comparing Disney to "White Slavers"

Yesterday, Star Wars writer/director George Lucas made headlines around the world (including here) for his comments in a Charlie Rose interview in which he compared The Walt Disney Company to "white slavers." That was the most attention-grabbing comment in the interview, but there was plenty of other worthwhile discussion that's worth checking out if you haven't seen it yet.

Now Lucas has released a statement apologizing for that remark (via Deadline):

“I want to clarify my interview on the Charlie Rose Show. It was for the Kennedy Center Honors and conducted prior to the premiere of the film. I misspoke and used a very inappropriate analogy and for that I apologize.

I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of Star Wars because of my great respect for the company and Bob Iger’s leadership. Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise. I rarely go out with statements to clarify my feelings but I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions in film, television and the parks. Most of all I’m blown away with the record breaking blockbuster success of the new movie and am very proud of JJ and Kathy.”

I won't sit here and throw stones at Lucas for a comment that came out nearly an hour into an interview because I can't possibly begin to understand what this whole situation must be like for him. I'm sure he regrets the comparison he made, and it seems to me like he put out this statement as much to try to show Disney head honcho Bob Iger that there's no bad blood between them as to make amends for his own sake.