Happy Birthday! George Lucas Turns 72 Today

Today is Star Wars creator George Lucas’ birthday.

Lucas first brought the galaxy far, far, away to life in 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope, spawning an entire fictional universe that several creators continue to explore to this day. While Lucas only directed the original trilogy’s first installment, he helmed all three prequel films that came decades later. While The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of Sith received a mixed response from fans, they certainly deepened Star Wars’ mythology.

On top of directing, Lucas has overseen and produced several over Star Wars projects, along with another popular film franchise, Indiana Jones. While Lucas has taken a backseat in Star Wars’ daily operations, the force is still strong with his franchise. A new Star Wars trilogy was launched last year with director J.J. Abrams’ at the helm in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. After meeting with bountiful critical and commercial success, Star Wars Episode VIII is already in the works, along with the spinoff prequel Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which debuts later this year.

Born in Modesto, California, Lucas turns 72 today. Happy birthday, George Lucas.