Final answer:
George Lucas exchanged his writer's fee for the original Star Wars movie for merchandising and sequel rights, which led him to earn considerable income from the franchise.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Lucas famously negotiated a deal where he gave up a direct writer's fee for the original Star Wars movie in exchange for something arguably much more valuable: full ownership of the merchandising rights and the eventual sequel rights. This astute decision enabled him to earn a significant income from all the toys, T-shirts, and myriad other products tied to the Star Wars franchise, as well as the ability to control and profit from future movies. The success of Star Wars merchandise set a precedent for the film industry and has had a lasting impact on how franchise agreements are negotiated