Lucas defends Ford

And now Lucas, of course, has his eye on another American classic: Indiana Jones. The fourth chapter in the film series, with Lucas producing and close pal Steven Spielberg directing, begins shooting in Los Angeles this June. Then it's on to several top-secret global destinations. Lucas teases that one will include a waterfall.

Jokes have been made about how the franchise will keep 64-year-old star Harrison Ford up and running, but Lucas doesn't see that as a problem.

"He's not running in any of the movies," Lucas says. "He's either on a horse or driving a car or a motorcycle. And he'll play his age in this movie with what's appropriate. The chases are more suspenseful than speedy. Like the rolling ball in the first film — it's not that he's running that fast, it's that there's a giant ball coming at him. And he will get beat up, which is a tradition for us."