Complex sentence: Despite this success, the rise of new filmmakers like George Lucas took him off guard; the success of' reportedly bewildered him at how a film with apparently no stars or love story could enrapture audiences so fervently.
Split into simpler sentences: Despite this success, the rise of new filmmakers like George Lucas caught him off guard. The success of' reportedly bewildered him, as a film with apparently no stars or love story could enrapture audiences so fervently.