But his enduring interest in “Star Wars” hints at a lesson that his filmmaking peers have already learned: that it is sometimes easier for them to make big movies than small ones. As his longtime friend and collaborator Steven Spielberg wrote in an e-mail message: “All of us would like to make these little personal films that sneak into theaters under the radar. Sadly, for George and myself, and others who have enjoyed and endured great success — ‘under the radar’ has become a no-fly zone.”

I don't feel sorry for Lucas and Spielberg. They aren't trapped by their names. All they have to do is start making enough smaller, non-epic films and people will stop paying attention eventually. Plus, what does it matter to the actual film if people are paying attention or not? If the film is good in its own way, it will still be appreciated to that degree, even if pop culture ignores it. How absurd.

This is what makes me glad about Clone Wars. Star Wars is now becoming so watered-down and unremarkable that your average person doesn't care anymore. The prequels made so much money because they were the Star Wars movies that had been promised for so long. The series is now descending into Star Trek territory. Eventually, nobody but the most esoteric of fans will care about what versions of the films are released. Apart from some strange event, Star Wars will die with this generation and everything we know about George's "vision" won't matter to anyone beyond the sheer curiosity of it. Our silly debates defending or attacking George will disappear (apart from dispassionate debates about artistic principles). I'm glad since that probably means that everyone will get what they want. It may take twenty years, but this nonsense will stop.

I think it's time to emotionally move on.