George Lucas apologizes for calling Disney — the new owner of 'Star Wars' — 'white slavers'

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George Lucas has issued a statement apologizing for essentially calling Disney, the new(ish) owner of his company Lucasfilm and the "Star Wars" franchise, "white slavers."

Lucas let the snide remark slip in a recent interview with Charlie Rose. Here's the full statement, via The Wrap:

"I want to clarify my interview on the Charlie Rose Show. It was for the Kennedy Center Honors and conducted prior to the premiere of the film. I misspoke and used a very inappropriate analogy and for that I apologize.

"I have been working with Disney for 40 years and chose them as the custodians of 'Star Wars' because of my great respect for the company and Bob Iger’s leadership. Disney is doing an incredible job of taking care of and expanding the franchise. I rarely go out with statements to clarify my feelings but I feel it is important to make it clear that I am thrilled that Disney has the franchise and is moving it in such exciting directions in film, television and the parks. Most of all I’m blown away with the record breaking blockbuster success of the new movie and am very proud of JJ and Kathy."

At the end Lucas is referring to "The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.

GettyIn the Rose interview, Lucas opened up about the difficulty to let go of the "Star Wars" franchise. 

"It's a very, very, very hard thing to do," Lucas said. "You have to say, 'I have to move on,' and everything in your body says, 'Don't. You can't.' These are my kids."

Rose then said, "Those were your kids … and you sold them."

"I sold them to the white slavers that take these things and, and …" Lucas then stopped himself and laughed.

Disney bought Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012, which not only gave them ownership of the "Star Wars" franchise but another iconic brand, "Indiana Jones."

Watch a clip from the interview that includes the "white slavers" remark here:

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