Since the beginning of his Hollywood career, George Lucas has always done things his own way. Almost 60 years later, he hasn’t changed a bit.

Appearing at a 45th anniversary screening of “The Empire Strikes Back” on the opening night of the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival, Lucas discussed his introduction to longtime friend and collaborator Francis Ford Coppola, his earliest experiences with the studio system and his path from “American Graffiti” to the industry-changing blockbuster “Star Wars.” However, despite the best efforts of host and moderator Ben Mankiewicz, he barely mentioned the film that the sellout crowd was there to see — and only then when he was good and ready.

Suffice it to say that Lucas’ career is one that’s been thoroughly documented and deconstructed; no fewer than eight books have been written about him, along with a handful of documentaries and nonfiction series. Even so, it was fun...