Spielberg convinced Williams to meet with Lucas — who in Williams’ telling, wanted to use “preëxisting classical works” in Star Wars.
But if Williams’ memory is correct, not only do we have John Williams to thank for his remarkable Star Wars themes — we also have him to thank for the fact that there are Star Wars themes at all.
That’s a whole lot of John Williams music.
The whole piece is worth a read, but the highlight might be Williams describing his own Star Wars origin story.