Part 8/12:
Drawing an analogy between his involvement in “Empire Strikes Back” and the current state of Star Wars, Lucas shared that he was on set as a consultant, the only one "who really understood the Force." He indicated that after this film, he handed over the reins to director Irvin Kershner, trusting his vision — a decision he considers one of his best, as “Empire” is often regarded as the best of the original trilogy.
He expressed regret that, after selling the franchise, many of the original ideas and themes — especially those involving the Force — have been lost or distorted. The franchise has drifted from its roots, and Lucas conveyed that contemporary creators seem to lack a true understanding of what made Star Wars special.