Francis Ford Coppola Feels Sad That George Lucas’ Career Became Eclipsed By ‘Star Wars’

George Lucas was once a very promising young filmmaker working under the wing of his mentor Francis Ford Coppola in the heyday of New Hollywood, so it’s a bit depressing seeing his legacy get eclipsed by “Star Wars.” Between “American Graffiti” and “THX 1138” audiences were robbed of more distinct films by Lucas, and Ford Coppola seems to be sad that Lucas has only directed “Star Wars” movies since 1977.

READ MORE: George Lucas Explains Why He Didn’t Direct The New Trilogy & Says Giving Up ‘Star Wars’ Was “Really, Really Painful”

In a wide-ranging interview with Vulture about the release of “Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone,” Coppola described his mixed feelings over the success of the galaxy far, far away taking over Lucas’ career. “He created something that brought joy and happiness and pleasure — and even some wisdom — to so many people,” Coppola said. “Whatever benefits he got from it, he deserved and is welcome to. If I feel sadness, it is that he didn’t make the other movies he was going to make. George is truly a brilliant, talented person. Just look at ‘American Graffiti’ and see all the innovation. We should’ve had more.”

“He knows. I’m at the point where I can’t bring it up anymore. I do sort of think of him as a kid brother,” Coppola said when asked if Lucas was aware of Coppola’s feelings on his career path. “We older people have to celebrate the success [of younger people]. I recognize that my daughter, Sofia, is, in a way, more successful than I am, and people are more interested in what she’s going to do next than [what I’m going to do next]. That’s how it should be.”

READ MORE: Kathleen Kennedy Says George Lucas Was Talking To ‘Star Wars’ Cast About A Sequel Trilogy Before She Took Over

Though it may be sad to think about the opportunities and films Lucas didn’t make when focusing on “Star Wars,” he originally intended to make even more films set in the franchise. The filmmaker intended to direct the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy before selling his company to Disney, a decision he called “painful.”