How George Lucas Attracted John Williams for the Star Wars Score

George Lucas's original Star Wars film, released in 1977, did have a relatively modest budget for a blockbuster at the time but it was still sufficient to attract top talent. One of the most iconic elements of this film was the grand orchestral score composed by John Williams. However, how did a relatively low-budget film manage to secure such a renowned composer?

John Williams' Predecessor to Star Wars

John Williams was already an established and respected composer before he worked on Star Wars. He had composed scores for several successful films including Jaws (1975), for which he won an Academy Award, and The Poseidon Adventure (1972). His career had been on the rise, and by 1977, his most illustrious credits were disaster movies like The Towering Inferno and Earthquake. Nevertheless, his work on Jaws had been very acclaimed and had solidified his reputation in the industry.

George Lucas' Vision for the Score

Luke was keenly aware of Williams' talent and had previously collaborated with him on American Graffiti (1973). When it came time to score Star Wars, Lucas wanted a grand orchestral score that could match the epic nature of the film. He approached Williams, who was enthusiastic about the project. Williams' score for Star Wars ultimately became one of his most iconic works and significantly contributed to the film's success, solidifying his status as a leading film composer.

Lucas' Wise Decision

George Lucas wisely recognized the importance of having a great score for Star Wars. He knew that proper orchestration and music accompaniment was crucial to the film's overall impact. Therefore, he was willing to spend the money to ensure that the soundtrack was done right. This decision paid off not only in terms of the film's success but also in creating one of the most memorable scores in film history.

Bonding with Williams

John Williams' long-standing friendship and multiple collaborations with Steven Spielberg led to an introduction with George Lucas. This relationship was significant since Spielberg had already helped launch Williams' career with Jaws. The trust and connection between Williams and Lucas played a crucial role in attracting Williams to the Star Wars project. Lucas’ understanding of the importance of film music and his willingness to invest in it were instrumental in bringing together one of the most successful and famous pairings in the history of cinema.

Making a House-Hold Name

John Williams was not quite the "megastar" then as he is today. However, his work on Star Wars helped further elevate his career and make him a household name in film music. The major orchestral score not only added an extraordinary emotional depth to the movie but also played a pivotal role in establishing the unique atmosphere and vision for Star Wars. The symphonic soundscape that Williams created for the film has been widely admired and has contributed significantly to the movie's enduring popularity.

Conclusion

While Star Wars had a lower budget compared to some other blockbusters, George Lucas was able to secure John Williams due to their prior collaboration and Williams' established reputation in the industry. Williams' work on Star Wars helped further elevate his career, making him a leading figure in the world of film music. The film's success and the iconic score have ensured that John Williams' name will forever be synonymous with the Star Wars saga.