generalfrevious said:

SilverWook said:

Lucas did not direct Howard.

But he produced the film, Willard Hyuck and Gloria Katz were involved with American Graffiti and Temple Of Doom, and it was a passion project of his (even before Star Wars), so it is 100% a George Lucas film.

I've read different accounts that he only stepped in as producer to help Hyuck and Katz out. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

Anyway, if it been produced by say, Samuel L. Bronkowitz, the reaction would have not been so harsh.