The Force is actually very real to “Star Wars” producer and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
According to Entertainment Weekly, during an emotional speech to introduce the world premiere of Episode VII, “The Force Awakens” in Hollywood on Monday, Kennedy revealed the series of “chance encounters” that led to J.J. Abrams directing what may end up being his career-defining film.
“In 1962, an 18-year-old boy named George Lucas was drag-racing his car,” she said. “He skidded out of control and wrapped his hotrod around a tree in Modesto. My step-brother’s grandfather pulled George from the wreckage that nearly killed him.”
“Fifteen years later, I stood in line for ‘A New Hope,’ just like many of you, only to find myself later going to work with George Lucas and his best friend, Steven Spielberg,” Kennedy continued.
“Steven’s next movie was ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’” she continued, “which was produced by George Lucas and written by Lawrence Kasdan.” Kasdan co-wrote “The Force Awakens.”
“After its release in 1982, a box of super-8 movies Steven made as a kid had long been lost, but were found,” Kennedy said. “I hired two 16-year-old young filmmakers to restore them. One of those boys was J.J. Abrams.”
“We paid him $300,” Kennedy said with a laugh. “Then we watched for 30 years as his career flourished.
And of course, Kennedy ended her speech with a famous “Star Wars” line.
“And Destiny? Fate?” she said. “I had to ask myself: was every one of these events, this whole progression, moving toward this? Is it the Force? I think so. If I’m right, then tonight, may the Force be with us all.”
For Kennedy’s full speech, click here.