Star Wars: George Lucas apologises for 'inappropriate' comparison between Disney and 'white slavers'

Lucas made the comments during an interview about new Star Wars film The Force Awakens

George Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney for $4 billion in 2012 (Getty Images)

Star Wars creator George Lucas has apologised after comparing Disney to ‘white slavers’ in a recent interview about new movie The Force Awakens.

The veteran director sold his sci-fi franchise to the conglomerate for a mammoth $4 billion in 2012 and, speaking to Charlie Rose on PBS last week, joked that he the deal was like selling off his kids to “the white slavers that take these things”.

Lucas has now backtracked on his controversial remarks, issuing a statement reading: “I want to clarify my interview on The Charlie Rose Show. It was for the Kennedy Center Honors and conducted prior to the premiere of the film. I misspoke and used a very inappropriate analogy and for that I apologise.

“I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of Star Wars because of my great respect for the company and Bob Iger’s leadership. Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise.

“I rarely go out with statements to clarify my feelings but I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions in film, television and the parks. Most of all I’m blown away with the record-breaking blockbuster success of the new movie and am very proud of JJ and Kathy.”

During the Charlie Rose interview, Lucas expressed his frustration with the style of The Force Awakens.

“They wanted to a do a retro movie. I don't like that,” he said. “Every movie I work very hard to make them completely different, with different planets, with different spaceships, make it new.”

The 71-year-old filmmaker had no say in the making of JJ Abrams’ latest instalment, insisting that the team “wasn’t that keen to have him involved anyway”.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is in cinemas now.