I don't think Lucas gets away with the "just a movie" thing. The fact that it is NOT just a movie is what made him one of the most powerful directors in history, who can do whatever he wants, and it made him into a BILLIONAIRE. $3.2 billion, I think according to Forbes. He can pretty much do anything he wants that isn't illegal, and probably a number of things that are. Want to make a WWII epic? Sure. Vacation in Europe? Sure. Buy a villa in one of the most expensive getaways in Italy? Sure. Race at a Nascar event? No problem. Live on your own ranch? Done. Private jets? Tickets to the Oscars? A collection of cars? Never having to pay a bill for the rest of your life? Sending your kids through college on one week's paycheque?

The man ought to be on his hands and knees thanking god that Star Wars is not just a movie. The man is so out of touch--because of the lavish and powerful lifestyle handed to him and his family because, wait for it, his films are bigger than just regular ol' flicks.

Also: for a guy that claims it's "just a movie", what's with all the merchandise? Star Wars is quite quantifiably not just a movie, it's all this other stuff like toys and games and TV shows and magazines. If he wanted to put his money where his mouth is he could get rid of all that stuff, but then he'd be only disgustingly-rich instead of ludicrously-rich, and he's way too comfy to let that go. He'll instead just bitch about how his fans love his work too much. Ah, billionaire problems! What a terrible life, this 3.2 billion dollar empire I live and work in, trapped in a prison of wealth and fortune, with the opportunity to do and make anything I want while hordes of fans worship me every waking hour. The pain of it all!