Star Wars: Who Can Use The Force, According To George Lucas

Star Wars: Who Can Use The Force, According To George Lucas

As a devoted Star Wars fan with years of immersion into this expansive galaxy far, far away, I can’t help but be intrigued by George Lucas‘ perspective on The Force and its accessibility to all. Having grown up watching the original trilogy and later expanding my knowledge through the prequels and sequels, I’ve always wondered if only Jedi could truly harness this mystical energy.


A New Hope” portrays the Force as a powerful energy field that emanates from all living beings. It pervades the universe, encompassing and interconnecting everything. As Ben Kenobi explained, “it gives a Jedi his power.” However, this ability to harness and manipulate the Force seems limited to those wearing brown and black robes, leaving one to wonder if it’s an exclusive skill. The truth, as revealed by the creators of Star Wars, is that anyone can potentially use the Force.

During a press conference for the “Star Wars” prequels (as reported by The Mary Sue), creator George Lucas answered directly when Lawrence Kasdan, director of “The Empire Strikes Back,” asked if anyone could tap into the Force. Lucas responded, “Yes, it’s accessible to all.” This simple statement caused a significant stir in the galaxy.

After “Return of the Jedi,” it came to light that Leia (Carrie Fisher) and later Finn (John Boyega) have been sensitive to the Force. Leia was trained by Luke, while Finn displayed subtle signs of this connection in “The Rise of Skywalker.” Therefore, it’s not as complicated as it seems.

The Force is as accessible as yoga according to Lucas

Star Wars: Who Can Use The Force, According To George Lucas

George Lucas, the mastermind behind “Star Wars,” further elaborated on his perspective, explaining that managing the Force isn’t an innate ability bestowed upon only a select few, but rather a skill that can be honed through practice, much like yoga or karate. He added, “Anyone can do it if they dedicate time and effort, but those most committed are typically drawn to such disciplines.”

Regarding the venerable Jedi Master who oversaw two successive generations of Skywalkers, Lucas made some clarifications about Master Yoda as well. A common misunderstanding is that Yoda trains Jedi, but in reality, he functions more like a spiritual guide; he doesn’t engage in battles himself.

Unfortunatey, despite Lucas sharing intriguing insights with fans, creators working on “Star Wars” projects in the subsequent years received harsh criticism for embracing these concepts. One filmmaker who faced intense backlash was Rian Johnson, whose “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” remains the most divisive installment in the franchise.

Rian Johnson handled The Force differently and was hated for it

Star Wars: Who Can Use The Force, According To George Lucas

In 2017, the “Star Wars” fanbase was deeply divided over “The Last Jedi,” the second installment in the new trilogy. While some appreciated its unique twists and adherence to the Force rules set by George Lucas, others were left feeling disappointed. One scene that remains a topic of ongoing discussion is when a young boy uses the Force to lift a broom towards the end of the film, echoing Lucas’ belief that anyone can wield this mystical power.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, filmmaker Rian Johnson explained his approach to handling the enigmatic energy central to the “Star Wars” series. “Previously in ‘Star Wars,’ from ‘Episode I’ up until ‘The Force Awakens,’ there hadn’t been a new film for a decade. Consequently, we had grown accustomed to viewing the saga as set in stone. However, what people often forget is that with each installment, new aspects of the Force were being introduced according to the story’s needs.”

In his film, Johnson referred back to significant events in the Star Wars storyline that happened before. He added to his previous remarks, explaining that elements like “Force-grabbing” and “Force ghosts” were introduced in “The Empire Strikes Back,” not in “A New Hope.” The Force’s capabilities continued to evolve with each installment. Although fans may have had mixed feelings about Johnson’s additions or subsequent alterations to the Force, these developments stay true to Lucas’ initial concept, even if they occasionally veered off course.

If you’re curious and want to understand more about the “Star Wars” galaxy, don’t miss out on discovering why Yoda speaks in reverse order.

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2024-07-21 23:00