George Lucas On Obama: "A Hero In The Making"

George Lucas has created legendary film heroes like Luke Skywalker and Indiana Jones, but the US director says that in real life, his hero is Barack Obama.

Lucas was in Japan on Wednesday to promote his latest film, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," as Obama clinched the Democratic Party's nomination for president.

"We have a hero in the making back in the United States today because we have a new candidate for president of the United States, Barack Obama," Lucas said when asked who his childhood heroes were.

Obama, "for all of us that have dreams and hope, is a hero," Lucas said.

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Comments

[mattrudy]

Oh no! He's gonna ruin this for us, like he did Star Wars!

[Sumocat]

He's only saying that because Barack Obama's Star Wars name would be Barack Obama.

[gulopartisan]

I thought to myself that George Lucas was a hero when someone said, in a Star Wars film, "This is the way democracy dies: not with grief but with applause." It was a butterfly moment, when things changed.

[HippieChick]

"This is the way democracy dies: not with grief but with applause."

The endorsement of Obama by George Lucas means more to me than an endorsement by anyone else could ever mean. This line you reference is embossed in my soul. I believed at one time this scripted line would represent our nation's epitaph; for the first time in years I wake up each morning with a glimmer that is the possibility of hopefulness.

[drovoca]

The links to this post are damaged. I got a 404 when I clicked the link in the Entertainment menu and also when I tryed to read the whole story. Only the Comments link works.

[larry278]

I'm getting a 404; is it HP or my ISP, Verizon's, resposnse to an overload?.

[sciabattoni]

Obama / Calrissian 08

[meanguy]

HERO???? if you want to see heroes, check out iraq and afghanistan...check out the men and women who ran INTO the twin towers on 9/11 to try to get strangers OUT...

[DrCahill]

You really are a mean guy - and completely miss the point!

[protagonia]

Right.

I love how they reveal themselves in ways they don't even realize. Their handle is guided by their subconscious.

Criminology 101.

[HippieChick]

You don't have to DIE to be a "hero" - at this point in history, the true "heroes" are the ones willing and brave enough to stand up against the "Military Industrial Complex" and fight "The System" for the quality of life of "We The People."

[IkeChicago]

Meanguy

Your definition of a hero is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo idiotic, it begs the question, who the hell are you.

[onceler]

I see John McCain's cadre of trolls are out in force tonight, and truly, the lure of discussing anything related to George Lucas is too irresistable to them. They are especially angry and illogical because one of their heroes is betraying them by supporting, gasp, a black liberal Democrat!

[shelobo]

I agree with Lucas.We need to remember heros come in ALL colors and from many different walks of life and ethnic backgrounds.I believe that IF Obama doesn't get sucked into the usual politicaly corrupted lifestyle that so many other great leaders did ,he will be written about with pride, as he is a major part of this historical time in our country.Unless he falls from grace and does something unforgivable ,he will be one of this countries most admired leaders.In this world where anything goes ,it's hard to remain an honest,ethical,moral person ,regardless of how hard some try.Obama has chosen a rough road to travel,some will throw hazards in front of him all along the road,some will try and cause his downfall ,some will never like him because they are blind ,they see color ,they don't HEAR and understand his words and their meaning.They SEE only black and white ,and then they miss the most amazeing things about this guy .At times he seems to good to be true ,he carrys a heavy load .Anyone who faces the odds he will are in my prayers .

[vandegrasse]

A great vid celebrating Obama's victory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHDCVj8zIuM

[shinybear]

I've always loved Lucas- he's a visionary. He has real integrity.

He is the heir apparent of Joseph Campbell.

And the man knows a hero when he sees one.

[BigLib]

Illinois Obama and the Kingdom of the Empty Skulls.

[LiberalBuzz]

Right on George. I hope Obama is everything we want him to be and doesn't run into an onery congress more beholden to K-Street than Main street.

[darthdarcy]

George both of us being students of Joseph Campbell's let's not talk of the path of the hero too much for now Ok..?

[Pistolopera]

People dissing Lucas for this statement obviously don't understand his movies (or, that the reason they're the most successful of all time is NOT special effects or acting, but because these types of stories resonate deeply in the human soul), not to mention the idea that great myths give shape and meaning to our cultures ...

Obama is the classic hero - true, his accomplishments at this point are relatively slim, but he has taken on the burden and responsiblity of the hopes and dreams of a generation in a way no politician has since John F. Kennedy. He may fail, but he obviously is aware that his failure would be much more consequential than that of a lesser man, and that is why we trust him and invest our hope for tomorrow in him.

Small-minded, backwards-looking people will probably NEVER get it, but they should get used to him - Because barring some unforeseen insanity, he will unquestionably be our president for the next 8 years.

... And his amazing tribute video is COMING SOON! ... http://youtube.com/watch?v=l7qErtEU5LI

[darthdarcy]

If you knew anything of Joseph Campbell and the hero mythology you'd get it..

The hero archetype is that Obama..?

It's too soon to know there are steps it's a process and again premature but that's what Lucas is referring too..

I can't understand why anyone would have anything but the greatest respect for George Lucas he's an utter genius a visionary and his work will last through the ages..

[onceler]

I don't think he's trying to suggest all that. I think he's just observing that Obama has literally achieved the impossible, and that lots of people find that very inspiring.

[shelobo]

BINGO,you said it well !!

[HippieChick]

"his accomplishments at this point are relatively slim"

Anyone who would choose to return to help the desperate people of Chicago after graduating from Harvard with the credentials Obama earned deserves more than a perception that his accomplishments are "slim." I agree with you completely...Obama is a "classic" hero, and it is my hope that he will redeem the future for my children and grandchildren.