Hollywood Reporter.com features an interview with George Lucas concerning Star Wars, special effects and the movie industry. Among the highlights:

THR: Can you describe your vision for what you were going for in "Star Wars," in terms of sound and effects?
GL: I wanted a really kinetic film, visually -- lots of quick cuts and camera movement. Soundwise, I've always felt sound was an extremely important part of the process of making a film . . . I had to start from scratch -- What does R2-D2 sound like? What does C-3PO sound like? What does a Wookiee sound like? A spaceship? A laser sword? -- because I was creating a space opera, a fantasy film. I wasn't making a science fiction film -- it was a movie. And believe it or not, one of the most important elements to making something move is sound.
. . .
THR: What do you think will replace DVD?
GL: Pay-per-view.

Lucas also discussed the growing movement toward real-time previsualization ("In the old days, that would have taken weeks to do; now, you can do it in a matter of hours") and the impact of piracy on the industry ("You have to get a very, very aggressive enforcement program so that people do have consequences to stealing, but you also have to be able to offer it to them (in the home) for the same price they can get it on the street. . . . If you can get it at home for $2, then why would you go on the street and get a bad version?")