LUCAS WARS Retells the Making of STAR WARS As a Graphic Novel

On Sept. 16, Macmillan imprint 23rd Street Books is releasing the English version of Lucas Wars in America. The French version of this graphic novel originally came out back in 2023. This 508-page graphic novel tells the story in full detail of how George Lucas survived a near-death experience as a teenager, only to become immersed in books about mythology and a love of film. From a multitude of various influences, one of the most celebrated stories of all time sprang forth. How accurate to real history is this graphic novel? Here’s what its author, Laurent Hopman, had to say about his graphic novel’s historical accuracy:

I didn’t want to take any kind of literary license. As a viewer, I find it extremely frustrating when a biopic plays fast and loose with history. Whether it’s a movie like the Freddie Mercury biopic or a series like The Offer about the making of The Godfather, I walk away disappointed when I realize facts were sacrificed just to crank up the drama. I understand why it’s done, obviously, but I truly believe there’s a way to respect reality while still crafting a script that’s gripping and intense. So I took the bare minimum of liberties. Every time a reader asks themselves, “Did this really happen?” the answer is yes.

The original Star Wars is like a game of Jenga. You take one vital piece out, and it all falls apart. What is Star Wars without the innovation of ILM, the production design of Ralph McQuarrie, the perfect cast, the music of John Williams? Telling the story of how it all came to be, and nearly didn’t, should make for a fascinating read. And possibly, an eventual film or streaming series of its own. Someone has to be thinking of a potential adaptation already, right?