Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz died of cancer on Sunday, his family said in a statement. He was 78.
In addition to helping bring the Skywalker stories to the big screen, Kurtz produced American Graffiti and The Dark Crystal. His career was aligned with that of George Lucas, but the two parted ways after The Empire Strikes Back.
Kurtz had championed Star Wars through multiple drafts and helped Lucas navigate 20th Century Fox’s lack of enthusiasm for a film they dismissed as a B-picture.
In addition to helping bring the Skywalker stories to the big screen, Kurtz produced American Graffiti and The Dark Crystal. His career was aligned with that of George Lucas, but the two parted ways after The Empire Strikes Back.
Kurtz had championed Star Wars through multiple drafts and helped Lucas navigate 20th Century Fox’s lack of enthusiasm for a film they dismissed as a B-picture.
- 9/24/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety - Film News
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