Marcia Lucas, the Unsung Editor Who Shaped Star Wars, Dies at 80

Marcia Lucas, Oscar-winning editor who helped shape Star Wars and was a pioneer among New Hollywood women, has died at 80 from metastatic cancer in California. She cut THX 1138, American Graffiti, and Star Wars (earning the 1978 Oscar with Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew), and helped determine pivotal moments like Obi-Wan’s death and the film’s emotional throughline, while later influencing Raiders of the Lost Ark. Her work extended to Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Taxi Driver, and she remained a respected, warm presence in the industry; she is survived by her daughters Amanda Lucas and Amy Soper.