As a fan of both Lynch and Lucas, this is fascinating to me: What I also find fascinating is Lynch's claim that he had next to zero interest, yet very soon after ROTJ he decided to direct a different big budget sci-fi flick (Dune). I wonder if there's more to the story than what he is letting on. Someone also managed to put together a funny concept trailer for what might have been:
Lynch also wrote in his book Lynch on Lynch: "I went to meet George Lucas, who had offered me the third Star Wars to direct, and I’ve never even really liked science fiction. I like elements of it, but it needs to be combined with other genres. And, obviously, Star Wars was totally George’s thing." Again, very strange how he claims not to like sci-fi, yet almost immediately after ROTJ he decided to direct Dune. I just wonder if he actually regretted turning down the opportunity.
My gut tells me Lynch might have gone darker, but probably didn't want to do it unless he could have some creative control.
David Lynch directing Blade Runner would have been something else. Although Blade Runner is already perfect as is IMO.
Wow, it's amazing that Lucas even considered a director who made Eraserhead and Elephant Man. Those movies are so dark and surrealistic. Don't get me wrong, I like most of Lynch's movies, especially Dune and Blue Velvet, but even the really weird ones like Mulholland Drive and Lost Highway. He sure is a very visionary and non-conformist filmmaker. But would he have been right for a SW movie? I honestly don't think so. I think Spielberg or Ridley Scott would have been better choices.
Was Lucas on drugs or something? Also he must have forgotten to ask John Carpenter, Sam Raimi and Tobe Hooper.
It's fascinating to think that Lucas was considering such different options: Richard Marquand or David Lynch. It's difficult to know what he was thinking. On one hand, hiring Irvin Kershner, a strong personal director, had been a disaster in terms of the planning of the film. On the other hand, hiring Steven Spielberg for Raiders, another strong personal director, had been a great success. I can see why Lucas was doubting between someone like David Lynch or someone who would be more willing to be monitored by Lucas himself.
Also makes sense when you consider the fact that Lucas approached both Spielberg and Ron Howard for TPM. Seems like he was conflicted for a while as to how much creative control he was willing to compromise.
Lucas also previously hired Howard to direct "Willow" (Howard's directing debut). It's clear he's always had an aversion to directing, even going back to the American Graffiti days. Even the actors from that early film have commented about how generally uninterested and unenthused Lucas seemed on set.
He's an editor at heart. He constructs his movies in the editing. He started to direct to have the freedom to edit a movie as he wanted to. And he started to write to tell his own stories. But directing is the most boring part for him: it's like going to the supermarket to buy the ingredients for a meal.
which is odd because Lucas' movies are certainly visually lush, he hasn't made a bad looking movie at all. I think he just finds it odd telling the actors to do what he has in his head. I think there's a story I read somewhere he was talking to Mark Hamill about how shooting Jabba's palace on green screen would have saved a bunch if they did it all in miniature but Hamill pointed out that it'd be better to have something for the actors to react to.
