It is interesting that fans feel as sense of ownership of the star wars mythos, in the same way star trek fans feel a sense of ownership over roddenberry's creation.
To Create something like creates a modern mythology and has that much of a social effect on society is absolutely phenomenal, and has a lasting effect. Wars like Trek is not a passing fad, they both in their own way speak to people.
Obviously Lucas legally owns star wars 100% and could tell the fans to fuck off if he wanted, hell sometimes artists have to do that as much as they need outside input they also need to not have their vision muddied.
Some of the problems star wars has are due to pandering to some of the fans. The whole Jango Fett/Boba Fett thing for instance, fans wanted to see mandalorians in the films.
Just like fans wanted a fourth Indiana Jones film then after the fact said they perfered it would have ended with three. Fans that initially wanted a 9 film star wars saga say they wish star wars had died in 1983 with what dignity it had left.
You can't please everyone at once. Some fans love all six films equally even return of the jedi a much bashed film, as the fan bashing on that is almost as bad as the phantom menace.