Gary Kurtz: One Side of Star Wars

This week The Los Angeles Times posted a fascinating article about Gary Kurtz, the original producer of the first two Star Wars films. While the franchise is most associated with creator George Lucas, it’s possible that none of it would have happened without Kurtz’s involvement.

Kurtz and Lucas had been friends in film school and they created ‘50s hotrod paean American Graffiti. Kurtz explains that the whole intergalactic saga began because, for their next project, they were unable to acquire the rights to make a new Flash Gordon. They instead tweaked and molded a myriad of ideas that became the 1977 blockbuster.

While Kurtz felt the two men were in lockstep with The Empire Strikes Back (the title of which he created), he recognized that their goals were diverging following the darker, intricate and more mature sequel. Kurtz felt they should continue this style to maintain artistic quality on the third film, while Lucas focused more on the business end of what they were doing. The two ceased their collaboration, stunning the cast and crew.

A few of the many nuggets to look for in the piece include what their original plans were after 1977 (it wasn’t more Star Wars), and some startling and contrasting ideas that were intended to finish Return of the Jedi on a more “bittersweet and poignant” note.

Kurtz’s perspective has rarely been part of the discussion, and this article, released during the 30th anniversary of “Empire”, provides a fuller context for these amazing accomplishments.