George Lucas Reveals Why Yoda Talks Backwards at ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Anniversary Screening
At a 45th anniversary showing of “The Empire Strikes Back” during the inaugural night of the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival, Lucas spoke about his introduction to longtime friend and collaborator Francis Ford Coppola, his beginnings within the studio system, and his journey from “American Graffiti” to the revolutionary blockbuster “Star Wars.” Despite host Ben Mankiewicz’s best attempts to steer the conversation, the film that had brought the sellout crowd together went largely unmentioned until Lucas chose to address it.