Exclusive: Spielberg’s Star Wars Plea

It's the stuff of most Star Wars fans dreams to have one of the movies helmed by master director Steven Spielberg. And in this month's Empire magazine, Spielberg explains that it's a dream he's tried numerous times to make a reality. In an exclusive interview with the director, Empire asked Spielberg whether such a dream team could ever come to fruition. 'I've asked him!' Spielberg told us. 'He won't let me do one.' The discussion between Spielberg and Lucas on this issue goes way back it seems; 'I wanted to do one 15 years ago,' says Spielberg, 'and he didn't want me to do it. I understand why - Star Wars is George's baby. George is my best friend and I believe I am his, but we are all competitive.' Despite his obvious disappointment on the issue, Spielberg says he doesn't blame Lucas. 'I believe that this is George's franchise,' he explains. 'It's his cottage industry and it's his fingerprints. He knows I've got Jurassic Park and Raiders. But George has Star Wars and I don't think he feels inclined to share any of it with me!' You can read the full exclusive interview with Steven Spielberg in the August issue of Empire magazine which goes on sale 1 July 2002.