Imagine that youve just watched a weird experimental, black-and-white movie calledEraserhead.
It doesnt make sense, but it perfectly captures the anxieties anyone faces right before becoming a parent.
Also, theres an unbelievable baby monster creature that looks unlike anything youve seen before.
Then imagine you watch another movie by the same director, calledThe Elephant Man.
What do you do next?
If youre the real Lucas, you say, I want this guy to makeStar Wars!
Given the films success, it was easy to see why Lucas considered Lynch for the job.
And I had next door to zero interest.
In short, Lynch rejected the idea of making the movie.
There is no way I can do this!
He said, David, David, David…Calm down!
You dont have to do this,' Lynch said.
He invented everything about it.
But he doesnt really love directing.
So someone else did direct that film.
But I called my lawyer and told him I wasnt going to do it.
And he said, You just lost, I dont know how many millions of dollars.
Even before being forced to learn what a Wookiee was, Lynch had his doubts about science fiction.
I like elements of it, but it needs to be combined with other genres.
And, obviously,Star Warswas totally Georges thing.
As forReturn of the Jedi, well, it remainsone of the bestStar Warsfilmsever made, Wookiees and all.
Although Lynch didnt care much for science fiction orStar Warsin particular,Dunewas the one outlier.
It seems really unlikely that an auteur like Lynch would have fared much better.
Lynch might have enjoyed some ofthe darker endings for the filmLucas and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan flirted with, though.
Were glad Lucas showed Lynch those Wookiees.
