Star Wars original trilogy

Did You Know?

• Darth Vader's design incorporated a German military helmet, and Lucas originally conceived the Sith as serving the Emperor like the Schutzstaffel served Adolf Hitler.
• The original Star Wars film won six out of its eleven nominations at the 50th Academy Awards.

Background

Lucas originally sought to adapt Flash Gordon in 1971 but could not obtain the rights, so he began developing his own story inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs. After directing American Graffiti (1973), he wrote a two-page synopsis titled Journal of the Whills. Several studios rejected the project before 20th Century Fox invested. Lucas found his original story too difficult to understand and on April 17, 1973, wrote a 13-page script called The Star Wars, which shared strong similarities with Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress (1958). By May 1974, he had expanded it into a first draft, adding elements such as the Sith and the Death Star, but the script became too long for a single film. Lucas negotiated to retain the sequel rights, and his lawyer Tom Pollock noted that Fox would have first opportunity and last refusal on sequels. Lucas was offered $50,000 to write, $50,000 to produce, and $100,000 to direct. He also secured 40% of merchandising profits. Harrison Ford, who had given up acting to become a carpenter, was hired to play Han Solo. During development, Lucas took inspiration from Marvel Comics and its characters for plot points and designs.

Films

Star Wars was released on May 25, 1977, and follows unlikely hero Luke Skywalker as he is drawn into a galactic conflict between the Empire and Rebel Alliance by two droids and an old Jedi Knight, helping achieve one of the Rebellion's most significant victories. Its unanticipated success led Lucas to make it the basis of an elaborate serial, and he decided the series would be a trilogy of trilogies, giving the original film the subtitle Episode IV – A New Hope. The first sequel, Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, released on May 21, 1980, sees Luke begin Jedi training under Yoda and confront Darth Vader, who is revealed to be Luke's father. The third film, Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, released on May 25, 1983, follows Luke as a full-fledged Jedi who redeems Vader, saving the galaxy from the Empire. The sequels were self-financed by Lucasfilm and advertised without the episodic number distinction present in their opening crawls. The story begins with the Tantive IV intercepted above Tatooine; Darth Vader captures Princess Leia, who sends R2-D2 with stolen Death Star plans and a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke, raised by his aunt and uncle, helps the droids find Obi-Wan, who reveals himself as a friend of Luke's father and tells Luke he must become a Jedi. After the Empire destroys Luke's homestead, they hire Han Solo and Chewbacca, and are captured by the Death Star, where they rescue Leia.

Re-releases

The original Star Wars film was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981, and 1982. All three films were released on home video formats including LaserDisc and VHS until 1996. The trilogy was re-released in a 1997 Special Edition with additions and changes, some of which received negative reception; these versions replaced the original versions on VHS as part of Lucas's vision and were created to reinvigorate interest before the prequel trilogy. The special edition of Star Wars premiered on television on February 5, 1998, on WB stations. Further changes were made for a 2004 DVD release to bring continuity with the prequels. The films were re-released in 2006 with bonus discs of the original versions transferred from 1993 LaserDiscs. In 2011, box sets were released on Blu-ray with another round of changes. In the early 2010s, 3D releases were planned for the six-film franchise, but Disney, after acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, canceled the remaining releases to focus on The Force Awakens. In 2019, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy stated she would not alter Lucas's original trilogy. Director J. J. Abrams expressed hope for an official release of the original versions but said it was not necessarily possible. The films were available on Disney+ at its launch.

Impact and legacy

The popularity of the films has generated numerous references in popular culture, including television series such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park, and films such as Clerks and Toy Story 2, as well as in political lexicon, such as Ted Kennedy's nickname for Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. The trilogy's artistic and technological achievements have influenced filmmakers including Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, Joss Whedon, Peter Jackson, Christopher Nolan, and sequel trilogy director J. J. Abrams. The trilogy launched the careers of stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, and Warwick Davis. Its success led to two more trilogies: a prequel trilogy (1999–2005) directed by George Lucas, and a sequel trilogy (2015–2019) produced by Disney after its 2012 purchase of Lucasfilm. Star Wars has also spawned spin-off films, television series, video games, books, comics, and theme park attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.