Reuters reports with pictures on Lucas at the Cannes Film Festival:

And he was in reflective mood as he gazed out over the chic Riviera resort, for it was in Cannes 30 years ago that he first clinched a deal with United Artists to make the multibillion dollar space saga which changed the face of movies.

On the day "Attack of the Clones" was launched in up to 70 countries worldwide, Lucas is still amazed by the global appeal of the legendary "Star Wars" characters.

Seeking the key to their universal attraction, Lucas said: "I designed it to be based on mythological motifs that have been around for thousands of years.

The success of it proves that we haven't changed our emotions in the last few thousand years."

When the latest saga was shown in Cannes, the biggest cheer of the day at the screening was reserved for the diminutive character Yoda when he reached for his light sabre and went into battle against the evil Count Dooku, played by British actor Christopher Lee.

Lucas, who took a 15-year break from the saga after making the first three "Star Wars" movies, sees himself above all as a storyteller. Box office receipts neither is a top priority for the soft-spoken director.