Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
George Lucas’Star Warsfranchise was a big gamble, for he did not believe the first movie would ever make it. Yet now, the franchise is one of the biggest and most successful cinematic universes of all time and even made Lucas over $10 billion rich at one point.
While the filmmaker, like any other auteur, had numerous inspirations from his own life and reality, he took one US President as his sole inspiration to create one of the most deadly and scaryStar Warsvillains. In the oral history ofStar Wars:Episode I The Phantom Menace, Lucas revealed that the Sith Lord, Emperor Palpatine was actually inspired by none other than former US President Richard Nixon.
George Lucas Reveals Emperor Palpatine Was Inspired By Richard Nixon
Former US President Richard Nixon was a brilliant politician but has become one of the most problematic and controversial leaders in the whole wide world apart from the US. Now mostly remembered by the infamous Watergate incident, the former US President’s mark on the history of the country has been muddled by his various controversies (viaLibertaianism.org).
“It was a bonding moment for us”: George Lucas’ Sweetest Gesture for Hayden Christensen is How We Got the Darkest Scene in Star Wars History
And so when it came to the creation of Emperor Palpatine, the Darth Sidious who crushed all forms of dissent and imposed draconian oppression throughout the galaxy,George Lucastook inspiration from Nixon. While relating the oral history ofEpisode I The Phantom Menace, the filmmaker stated (viaStarWars.com),
Hayden Christensen’s Star Wars Obsession Didn’t Start With the Mark Hamill Movies: “I instantly became a fan”
How The Political Conditions InspiredStar Wars’Empire
It is no secret that filmmakers, artists, writers, and storytellers often seek inspiration from reality to weave their world of fiction. And George Lucas was no different when it came to Emperor Palpantine’s oppressive Empire in theStar Warsmovies.
“We thought it was Harry Potter”: Mashle: Magic and Muscle’s Biggest Twist Has Fans Wondering if the Anime is Really Just a Star Wars Reference
While revealing how Richard Nixon and the politics of that time led to the creation of Darth Sidious, Lucas also remarked on the creation of his Empire and stated,
“But that was the idea, which was, ‘How does a democracy crumble? How does it die?’ When it doesn’t die with a revolution — it does in some cases — but not in the world of the ideal democracy, which we thought we had at that time, how does that happen? Would the people vote for it? And yes, they do vote for it, that’s the whole point. There’s an outside threat, and that threat allows the tyrant to take over. And the populace gives up the democratic powers and this guy is suddenly running the show. You end up with the Empire.”
Adding on that this was what exactly happened with Palpatine, Lucas created parallels with reality stating that no one really knew how the Sith Lord was until his assent to power.
All theStar Warsmovies and series can be streamed on Disney+.
Maria Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2703
Maria Sultan is a dedicated News Content Writer at FandomWire. With over five years of professional experience and hundreds of published articles, she brings a wealth of expertise to her coverage of Marvel, K-dramas, and the latest on streaming platforms.Her work is not just about reporting news; it’s about providing insightful perspectives on the entertainment trends that matter most.
More from Maria Sultan
The Diplomat Season 3: Does Hal Survive the Explosion in Season 2?
When Is The Diplomat Season 3 Releasing on Netflix?
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox Season 1: Are Grace Van Patten and Jackson White a Couple?
Recommended
When Is Absolute Flash #6 Coming Out? Release Date, Plot Prediction & Everything We Know
‘The Serial Killer’s Apprentice’: How Dean Corll Was Murdered by His Own “Friend”
Is Apple TV+’s Carême Renewed for Season 2? Details Inside
Chris Pratt Thriller Dominates Global Streaming Amid Pro-RFK Jr Stance
“Oh I f**king love her”: Margaret Qualley’s Dad Made an Aubrey Plaza Confession That Stunned Her
Gen V Season 2: Total Episodes and Finale Date Revealed
George Lucas
