I thought it [Star Wars] was too wacky for the general public. Right or wrong this is my movie, this is my decision, and this is my creative vision, and if people don't like it, they don't have to see it.

But having a really good understanding of history, literature, psychology, sciences - is very, very important to actually being able to make movies.

The thing about science-fiction fans and "Star Wars" fans is they're very independent-thinking people. They all think outside the box, but they all have very strong ideas about what should happen, and they think it should be their way. Which is fine, except I'm making the movies, so I should have it my way.

None of the films I've done was designed for a mass audience, except for 'Indiana Jones.' Nobody in their right mind thought 'American Graffiti' or 'Star Wars' would work.

My success wasn't based on how I could push down everybody that was around me. My success was based on how much I could push everybody up.

Time is more important to me than money.

You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks.