Star Wars 7: George Lucas wanted to make film before selling franchise to Disney

JJ Abrams is now directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens instead

Legendary Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas (Getty Images)

JJ Abrams hotly-awaited Star Wars movie is due out later this year, but few know that original creator George Lucas fancied a stab at making it himself.

The US director, 70, has revealed that he was planning a new film in the franchise for a May 2015 release before selling.

However, Lucas backed down after being deterred by a 10-year commitment to a trilogy and Disney’s interest in buying the series.

“It’s better for me to get out at the beginning of a new thing and I can just remove myself,” he told USA Today.

Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney for $4 billion in 2012, but it was his time that tempted him as it is “more important than money”.

The Oscar-nominated director added that Abrams has his full support for seventh instalment The Force Awakens and he will be going to see the movie.

“The only thing I really regret about Star Wars is the fact I never got to see it – I never got to be blown out of my seat when the ship came over the screen,” he said. “The next one, I’ll be able to enjoy it like anybody else.”

Lucas will, however, be returning to the silver screen with his animated film Strange Magic, due out on 11 February.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits UK cinemas on 18 December, starring John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac alongside returning originals Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.

It is the first Star Wars movie that Lucas has not had creative involvement with.