When Carrie Fisher roasted the ‘Star Wars’ director: “George Lucas ruined my life. And I mean that in the best possible way”
The controversial words Carrie Fisher dedicated to George Lucas before she died: “He ruined my life, and I mean that in the best possible way.”
Carrie Fisher, the famous actress best known for playing Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars saga, as well as appearing in other films such as Shampoo (1975), The Blues Brothers (1980), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The Burbs (1989), When Harry Met Sally... (1989), and Soapdish (1991), delivered an ambiguous speech to George Lucas in 2005 during a gala organised by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honour the creator of Star Wars with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
She began with the line, “Hello, I’m Mrs Han Solo, and I’m an alcoholic.” In this forceful and unconventional manner, Fisher opened her remarks before a surprised audience, suggesting that the relationship between her and Lucas might not have been as friendly as it appeared.
Ever since they began working together in the late 1970s on Star Wars, Fisher and Lucas shared a somewhat peculiar relationship, something the actress mentioned repeatedly throughout her career until her death in 2016 at the age of 60 from heart disease.
In her memoir Wishful Drinking, published in 2008, Fisher addressed Lucas directly: “George Lucas ruined my life, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.”
Years earlier, Fisher had already expressed dissatisfaction with the direction her character was taking in the films, both in terms of style and character development. “But let’s not forget that these movies are basically boys’ fantasies, so the way they went about making her more feminine was to take her clothes off,” she once complained.
Returning to the 2005 speech, Fisher spoke with irony, delivering a series of pointed remarks: “The only one who didn’t know was George. We kept it from him because we wanted to see what his face looked like when his expression changed.” She said this while referring to people’s questions regarding the success of the first film. She added, “George is a sadist, but like any abused kid wearing a metal bikini chained to a giant, dying slug, he keeps coming back for more.” She continued, “You’ve owned my image all these years, so every time I look in the mirror, I have to send you a cheque for a couple of bucks.”
Fisher then criticised the prequel trilogy, saying, “You had this unjustifiable knack for letting that girl, the new girl playing my mother, Queen Amadillo or whatever her name is, wear a new hairstyle and outfit practically every time she walks through a door. I bet she’s wearing a bra, even though you told me she couldn’t, because there’s no underwear in space.” She concluded, “I hope I slept with you to get the job, because otherwise, who the hell was that guy?”
Although the audience laughed, there was a sense of tension, as it was not entirely clear whether Fisher’s remarks were humorous digs at Lucas or reflections of uncomfortable truths. Even so, Fisher later remarked that she might have been “just a little bitter” during the speech, and that Lucas was ultimately one of those artists “who only comes around once in a generation.”
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment