George Lucas filmography

George Lucas (born 1944)[1] is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, and entrepreneur. A member of the New Hollywood movement, his best-known work includes both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises and establishing Lucasfilm.

Lucas made his feature film debut in 1971 with THX 1138, an expansion of his student short Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB made at the University of Southern California. Two years later, he wrote and directed American Graffiti, based on his own experience of cruising. He then wrote and directed the space opera Star Wars (1977): it became the highest grossing film of all time and launched an eponymous franchise. Although Lucas did not direct the following two films in the "original trilogy"—The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983)—he was heavily involved as a producer. Some two decades later, he directed and wrote all three entries in the "prequel trilogy": The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005).

Inspired by the film serials of the 1930's and 40's, Lucas created the Indiana Jones franchise.

Feature films

Table featuring films by George Lucas
Year Title Director Writer Executive producer Notes Ref(s).
1971 THX 1138 Yes Yes No Also editor
1973 American Graffiti Yes Yes No [2]
1977 Star Wars Yes Yes Yes Also uncredited editor [3][4]
1979 More American Graffiti No No Yes [5]
1980 Kagemusha No No Yes Produced the international version [6]
1980 The Empire Strikes Back No Story Yes Also uncredited screenwriter, editor, and co-director [4]
1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark No Story Yes Also second unit director [7]
1983 Return of the Jedi No Yes Yes Also uncredited editor, and co-director [4]
1983 Twice Upon a Time No No Yes
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom No Story Yes
1985 Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters No No Yes [8]
1986 Labyrinth No No Yes Also uncredited screenwriter
1986 Howard the Duck No No Yes
1988 Willow No Story Yes
1988 Tucker: The Man and His Dream No No Yes [9]
1988 The Land Before Time No No Yes [10]
1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade No Story Yes
1994 Radioland Murders No Story Yes Also second unit director
1999 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Yes Yes Yes Also uncredited editor [11]
2002 Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Yes Yes Yes Also uncredited editor [11]
2005 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Yes Yes Yes Also uncredited editor [11]
2008 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull No Story Yes Also uncredited screenwriter
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars No No Yes Also uncredited story conceived
2012 Red Tails No No Yes Also uncredited story conceived and director of reshoots [12]
2015 Strange Magic No Story Yes
2023 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny No No Yes [13]

Short films and attractions

[14][15]

Title Year Director Writer Executive
producer
Notes
Look at Life 1965 Yes No No Also uncredited writer, editor and cinematographer
Herbie 1966 Yes No No Co-directed with Paul Golding; also uncredited writer, editor and cinematographer
Freiheit 1966 Yes No No Also uncredited writer, editor and cinematographer
1:42.08 1966 Yes Yes No Documentary film; also editor and uncredited cinematographer
Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town 1967 Yes Screenplay No Also uncredited editor and cinematographer
The Emperor 1967 Yes Yes No Documentary film
Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB 1967 Yes Yes No Also uncredited editor
6-18-67 1967 Yes No No Documentary film; also uncredited writer, editor and cinematographer
Filmmaker 1968 Yes Yes No Documentary film; also editor, cinematographer and sound
Captain EO 1986 No Screenplay Yes Attraction films for Disney theme parks
Star Tours 1987 No No Yes
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue 2011 No No Yes

Television films and series

Title Year(s) Writer Executive
producer
Notes
The Ewok Adventure 1984 Story Yes Television film
Ewoks: The Battle for Endor 1985 Story Yes Television film
Inside the Labyrinth 1986 No Yes Documentary television film
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles 1992–1996, 1999–2001 Creator & Stories Yes 28 episodes + 4 television films / 22 television films[16]
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Documentaries 2007–2008 No Yes Documentary series; 94 episodes + 3 Lectures
Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008–2014, 2020 Creator Yes 133 episodes + 4 in Legacy / Conceived all stories
The Nina Foch Course for Filmmakers and Actors 2010 No Yes Documentary series for DVD; 16 episodes
Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen at War 2012 No Yes Documentary television film
Manifest Destiny 2012 No Yes Documentary series; 3 episodes

Young Indiana Jones story writing credits

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (original TV release) The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (re-edited for VHS/DVD)
Season Episode Volume Chapter Segment
1 1. "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" I. The Early Years 1. My First Adventure I. "Egypt"
6. Spring Break Adventure II. "Mexico"
2. "London, May 1916" 7. Love's Sweet Song II. "London"[17]
3. "British East Africa, September 1909" 2. Passion for Life I. "British East Africa"[17]
4. "Verdun, September 1916" II. The War Years 9. Demons of Deception I. "Verdun"
5. "German East Africa, December 1916" 11. Oganga, the Giver and Taker of Life I. "German East Africa"
6. "Congo, January 1917" II. "Congo"
2 1. "Austria, March 1917" 13. Adventures in the Secret Service I. "Austria"
2. "Somme, Early August 1916" 8. Trenches of Hell I. "Somme"
3. "Germany, Mid-August 1916" II. "Germany"
4. "Barcelona, May 1917" 14. Espionage Escapades I. "Barcelona"[17]
7. "Petrograd, July 1917" 13. Adventures in the Secret Service II. "Petrograd"
9. "Vienna, November 1908" I. The Early Years 3. The Perils of Cupid I. "Vienna"
13. "Paris, September 1908" 2. Passion for Life II. "Paris"[17]
14. "Peking, March 1910" 5. Journey of Radiance II. "Peking"
15. "Benares, January 1910" I. "Benares"
16. "Paris, October 1916" II. The War Years 9. Demons of Deception II. "Paris"

Other media

Books

Author

Title Year Notes Universe
Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker 1976 Credited author (ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster) Star Wars (novelisation for first film)
Shadow Moon 1995 Co-writing credit with Chris Claremont Willow (Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy)
Shadow Dawn 1996 Written by Chris Claremont from a story by George Lucas Willow (Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy)
Shadow Star 2000 Written by Chris Claremont from a story by George Lucas Willow (Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy)

Adaptations unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars series

Title Year Notes
Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir 2014 Comic adaption of four unproduced episodes by Jeremy Barlow (based on screenplays by Aida Croal & Matt Michnovetz)
Star Wars: Dark Disciple 2015 Novel adaption of eight unproduced episodes by Christie Golden (based on screenplays by Katie Lucas & Matt Michnovetz & Dave Filoni)

Multimedia products for PC

George Lucas developed[18] and produced variety multimedia content for CD-ROM:

  • GTV: A Geographic Perspective on American History (1990)
  • Life Story: The Race for the Double Helix (1990)
  • The Mystery of the Disappearing Ducks (1993)
  • Interactive Timeline The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones DVD (2007)

Unreleased and unrealized projects

Title Writer Executive
producer
Notes
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Creator & Stories Yes Many stories were written but never filmed due to the series cancellation.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Creator Yes Conceived six additional stories that are written but yet to be told in any format.
Star Wars Detours Creator Yes 39 episodes and 62 additional scripts were completed as of 2013. Release cancelled.
Star Wars: Underworld Creator Yes Live action TV series, many scripts are complete. Unproduced.

Acting credits

Full-length films

Title Year Role Notes
American Graffiti 1973 Pinkie’s Pizza Employee Voice
Uncredited
Star Wars 1977 Holographic monster with a chessboard[19] Uncredited
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984 Missionary[20] Uncredited
Hook 1991 Man Kissing Woman on Bridge Uncredited
Beverly Hills Cop III 1994 Disappointed Husband Credited
Men in Black 1997 Alien on TV Monitor Uncredited
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith 2005 Baron Papanoida Uncredited

Short films

Title Year Role Notes
The Emperor 1967 Army Captaine Documentary
Filmmaker 1968 Himself (voice) Documentary
Citizen Steve 1987 Himself Documentary
Holiday Harbor 2003 Himself
Rollin' with Saget 2006 Cameo Music video by Jamie Kennedy & Stu Stone feat. Bob Saget

Television

Title Year Role Notes
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome 2001 Himself TV special short mockumentary
Just Shoot Me! 2003 Himself Episode 'It's Raining Babies'
The O.C. 2005 Himself Episode 'The O.Sea'
Robot Chicken: Star Wars 2007 Himself (voice) TV special short

Uncredited production roles

Lucas has worked as an otherwise executive producer or creative capacity on several films and television series where he was not credited.

The list may not be complete.

Feature films

Title Year Notes
Body Heat 1981 [21][22]
Return to Oz 1985 "Special thanks" credit only[23]
Latino 1985 Lucasfilm production (George Lucas didn't credit as "Executive producer")
Powaqqatsi 1988 Documentary film / Credited as "Presentation" only, but not on the list of producers in final credits
Dreams 1990 Uncredited supervisor of post-production
Jurassic Park 1993 "Special thanks" credit, uncredited supervisor of post-production

Short films and attractions

Title Year Role Notes
Bald: The Making of THX 1138 1971 Director Documentary promo
Return of the Ewok 1982 Lucasfilm production Mockumentary
The Adventures of André & Wally B. 1984 Lucasfilm Computer Graphics Project production
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! 1989 Lucasfilm production Attraction
The Great Movie Ride 1989 Lucasfilm licensed
THX Wow! 1990 Executive producer Video THX test
Rush Rush 1991 Lucasfilm Commercial productions Music video by Paula Abdul
Change (US version) 1991 Music video by Lisa Stansfield
You Said, You Said 1991 Music video by Jermaine Jackson
Vibeology 1991 Music video by Paula Abdul
Giving Him Something He Can Feel 1992 Music video by En Vogue
The Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril 1993 Lucasfilm production Attractions
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter 1994
Indiana Jones Adventure 1995
Star Wars Episode II: The Saga Continues 2000 Director, producer Video documentary promo
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull 2001 Lucasfilm production Attraction

Also many documentary features about Lucasfilm films from Internet, VHS, DVD and Blu-ray.

Television films and series

Title Year(s) Roles Notes
The Making of Star Wars 1977 Association production (with The Star Wars Corporation) Television documentary film
The Star Wars Holiday Special 1978 Executive producer / Conceived story idea Television film
SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back 1980 Lucasfilm production Television documentary films
The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981
Great Movie Stunts: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi 1983
From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga 1983
Heroes and Sidekicks: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984
The Making of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1985
Ewoks 1985–1986 Executive producer (production association with Nelvana) 26 episodes
Star Wars: Droids – The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO 1985–1986 13 episodes + 1 Special
The Making of Captain Eo 1986 Lucasfilm production Television documentary film
Maniac Mansion 1990–1993 66 episodes
Defenders of Dynatron City 1992 Association production (with DIC Entertainment) Unsold pilot
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome 2001 Lucasfilm production Television mockumentary special
LEGO Star Wars: The Han Solo Affair 2002 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Television short
Star Wars: Clone Wars 2003–2005 Executive producer 25 episodes
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy 2004 Association production (with Prometheus Entertainment) Television documentary film
Star Wars: A Musical Journey 2005 Lucasfilm production DVD anthology of music
Science of Star Wars 2005 Association production (with Evergreen Films) Television documentary series, 3 episodes
Lego Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick 2005 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Television short
Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed 2007 Lucasfilm production Television documentary film
Star Wars Tech 2007 Lucasfilm as distributor Television documentary film
Robot Chicken: Star Wars 2007 Association production (with Sony Pictures Digital) Television special
Lego Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick 2008 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Television short
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II 2008 Lucasfilm production Television special
LEGO Star Wars Movie Short 2008-2012 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Web series
Lego Star Wars: The Quest for R2-D2 2009 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Television short
Lego Star Wars: Bombad Bounty 2009 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Television short
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III 2010 Lucasfilm production Television special
Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace 2011 Television short
Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out 2012 Uncredited Lucasfilm production Television short

Also many documentary videos and documentary web-series about Lucasfilm films from television, Internet, VHS, DVD and Blu-ray.

Other contribution

In addition to any of his own involvement, Lucas has numerous "Based on characters created by", "Based on Star Wars created by", "Based on Indiana Jones created by", "Very Special Thanks" and "Special Thanks" credits in various films, television series, video games, books and comic books.

Feature films

Year Title Role Notes
1965 The Bus Production assistant Documentary film
1966 Grand Prix Additional camera operator
1968 Finian's Rainbow Production assistant
Journey to the Pacific Assistant editor Documentary film
1969 The Rain People Production associate
Mackenna's Gold Trainee
1970 Gimme Shelter Camera operator Documentary film
1972 The Godfather Assistant editor[24] and second unit director[25]
1979 Apocalypse Now Participated in early development of the film as writer[25] and director before being replaced by Francis Ford Coppola, later helped financing late in production
1981 Dragonslayer Participated in making of the film
1985 Ran Participated in the financing of the film
1989 Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland Participated in making of the film
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Wrote rough story treatment, creative consultant early in development
2016 Rogue One Creative consultant in development and visited set
2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Wrote rough story treatment, creative consultant in development
2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story Conceived original concept for the film, creative consultant early in development, visited set and assisted in directing one scene for Ron Howard
2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Wrote rough story treatment, creative consultant in development

Short films

Year Title Role Notes
1964 The Soldier Assistant cameraman
Orgy Beach Party Still photographer
1965 Wipeout Participated in making of the film
1966 Glut Sound editor
Marcello, I'm So Bored Sound editor
1968 Why Man Creates Camera operator Documentary film
1980 Black Angel Lucas mentored the director during the film's production and also included a screening of the film in the theatrical release The Empire Strikes Back in several territories.

Television series

Year Title Role
2019 Game of Thrones Assisted director during production of first episode of the eighth and final season
2019-2020 The Mandalorian Visited set during season 1 and season 2

Video games

Year Title Role
2007 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Revolution Participated in making
2007 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Special Delivery
2008 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Hunting for Treasure
2008 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
2009 Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings
2024 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Novel

Year Title Role
2012 Star Wars: Darth Plagueis Participated in making in earliest stages

Comic book

Year Title Credits
2013–2014 The Star Wars Eight issue comic adaptation of unproduced early screenplay for Star Wars
Written by J.W. Rinzler

Re-releases

Year Title Role
1997 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Executive producer, director
1997 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Executive producer, director
1997 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi Executive producer, director
1998 American Graffiti DVD Supervisor
2004 THX 1138 - The George Lucas Director's Cut Executive producer, director
2004 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope DVD Executive producer, director
2004 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back DVD Executive producer, director
2004 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi DVD Executive producer, director
2007-2008 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones DVDs Executive producer
2011 American Graffiti Digitally remastered Supervisor
2011 Star Wars - The Complete Saga Blu-ray Executive producer
2012 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D Supervisor
2012 Indiana Jones The Complete Adventures Digitally remastered Supervisor
2013 Willow Digitally remastered Supervisor
2013 Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 3D Supervisor
2015 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 3D Supervisor
2019 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope 4K remaster Supervisor
2019 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 4K remaster Supervisor
2019 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi 4K remaster Supervisor
2024 Willow 4K remaster Supervisor

References

Citations

  1. ^ Goddard 1976.
  2. ^ Murch, Walter, The Making of American Graffiti
  3. ^ "Lucasfilm Originals: The EditDroid". Lucasfilm.com. April 2, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Duncan, Paul (December 15, 2018). The Star Wars Archives 1977–1983 Episodes IV-VI. Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8365-6340-6.
  5. ^ Pollock, Dale (July 25, 1979). "More American Graffiti Review". Variety. Reed Elsevier Inc. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "George Lucas on Akira Kurosawa". The Criterion Collection. March 19, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  7. ^ "Raiders Of The Lost Ark: An Oral History - Part 3". Empire. April 24, 2008. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  8. ^ Ebert, Roger (December 15, 2007). "He lived by the pen, died by the sword". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  9. ^ Lindsey, Robert (July 24, 1988). "Francis Ford Coppola: Promises to Keep". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  10. ^ "The Land Before Time". Amblin. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Duncan, Paul (December 13, 2020). The Star Wars Archives 1999–2005 Episodes I-III. Taschen. ISBN 978-3-8365-6340-6.
  12. ^ Sperling, Nicole (March 5, 2010). "The Hollywood Insider: Will '30 Rock' keep rolling?". Entertainment Weekly. No. 1092. Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2019. After 5 years, George Lucas is directing again.
  13. ^ Mangold, James (October 10, 2023). "'Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  14. ^ Pollock, Dale, Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas, Harmony Books, New York, 1983, ISBN 0-517-54677-9.
  15. ^ Fensch, Thomas, Films on the Campus, A.S. Barnes & Co, New York, 1970, ISBN 0-498-07428-5.
  16. ^ The original series episodes has been re-edited in chronological order as 22 TV films The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones. New stories and connecting segments were filmed, which were not present in the original broadcast of the series in 1992-1996.
  17. ^ a b c d The re-release does not receive "Story by" credit for this segment, although it did in the original broadcast of the series.
  18. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (August 1993). "SOFTWARE; Rescuing Children From Boredom". The New York Times.
  19. ^ George Lucas: A Life. Brian Jay Jones.
  20. ^ Baxter, John (1999). "Snake Surprise". Mythmaker: The Life and Work of George Lucas. Avon Books. pp. 332–341. ISBN 0-380-97833-4.
  21. ^ "Lucasfilm: Body Heat". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  22. ^ Brooks, Dan (May 24, 2018). "A Portrait of the Scoundrel as a Young Man: Writers Lawrence and Jonathan Kasdan on Solo: A Star Wars Story". StarWars.com. Lucasfilm Ltd. Retrieved May 24, 2018. I went to George who I had just worked with on Raiders [of the Lost Ark] and Empire [Strikes Back], and George said, "I'll executive produce the movie, uncredited." - Lawrence Kasdan
  23. ^ Champlin, Charlles (1997). George Lucas: The Creative Impulse : Lucasfilm's First 25 Years (2nd ed.). New York : Harry N. Abrams. p. 112.
  24. ^ "The Godfather (1972) Trivia".
  25. ^ a b American Film Institute (October 29, 2009). George Lucas On Working With Francis Ford Coppola. Retrieved May 3, 2025 – via YouTube.

Works cited