George Lucas hands over reigns of Lucasfilm to `Jurassic Park` producer Kennedy

London: ‘Star Wars’ director George Lucas has said that he wants to make smaller, art-house films rather than big-budget movies and has even named his successor at his Lucasfilm studio as he prepares to stand down.

The 68-year-old, who launched the studio in 1971, will hand over to Kathleen Kennedy, who produced films including ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘The Sixth Sense’ and ‘War Horse’. “As I shift my focus into other directions, I wanted to make sure it was in the hands of someone equipped to carry my vision into the future,” the BBC quoted Lucas as saying. Kennedy had “great creative passion and proven leadership abilities”, he said. Lucas opened the studio as a young film-maker and its first release was the science fiction film THX 1138. He made his name with ‘American Graffiti’ in 1973 before ‘Star Wars’ became the highest-earning film of all time four years later. Kennedy described Lucas as “a true visionary”. “I’ve seen him build Lucasfilm from a small rebel unit in Northern California to an international fully integrated entertainment company,” she said. “As George moves towards retirement I am honoured that he trusts me with taking care of the beloved film franchises,” Kennedy said. Lucas may retire from the company, but he is not likely to stop making films. ANI