After working closely in the Star Wars series with Muppet master Jim Henson, who helped create the syntax-challenged Yoda, Lucas produced the Henson-directed Labyrinth. A coming-of-age fantasy tale starring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie, the film was considered a box office failure, grossing only $12 million of its $25 million budget; years later, however, Labyrinth is considered a cult classic. The film's fantastical sets and creatures were appropriately inventive --- with special effects courtesy of ILM --- resulting in a mix of childlike escapism and grown-up intrigue that bears the creative stamp of both masters.

Released about a month after Labyrinth, Howard the Duck became Lucas' second flop of 1986 -- not the best summer of his career, to say the least. Directed by Willard Huyck, a frequent collaborator of Lucas' (who co-wrote American Graffiti, Temple of Doom, Howard the Duck and the later Radioland Murders with his wife and partner, Gloria Katz), the sci-fi comedy about a humanoid talking alien duck stuck on Earth eventually made back its $37 million budget --- barely. It's not only Lucas' worst-reviewed film, but also the career lows for stars Lea Thompson and Tim Robbins.

American Graffiti alum Ron Howard directed Willow based on a story by Lucas, a Tolkienesque fantasy epic about a little man (Warwick Davis) charged with protecting a baby girl from an evil queen. With inspired casting (Val Kilmer as Madmartigan) and epic-scale production design, it seemed things might fall into place to gave Lucas another hit movie. Unfortunately for him, the pic only grossed $57 million -- a nice profit over its estimated $35 million budget, but hardly enough success to justify any sequels (though Lucas has hinted at the possibility of a Willow TV series).