Ian McDiarmid: George Lucas Knew Some Fans Would Reject the Prequels

Ian McDiarmid, one of only three actors to appear in all three Star Wars trilogies, reflected on the prequels during a panel at Spacecon 2026. He said George Lucas suspected some longtime fans would be picky about the new direction, but aimed the films at a broader audience and was happy if young viewers loved them.

"I make these films for everybody, but if an 8-year-old is happy, I’ll feel I’ve done my work," McDiarmid recalled Lucas saying. The prequel trilogy, which began with The Phantom Menace in 1999, was a financial success but prompted heavy backlash from veteran fans.

Complaints ranged from the dialogue and acting to the kid-friendly tone and changes to established lore. Despite that blowback, the prequels found an appreciative audience among younger viewers, and their popularity has surged as those kids grew up and praised the films online.

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