Star Wars original trilogy

{{short description|First three films in the media franchise}} {{Italic title|string=Star Wars}} {{Use American English|date=September 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = {{no italic|''Star Wars'' Trilogy}} | italic_title = no | image = class=skin-invert|95px class=skin-invert|95px class=skin-invert|110px | caption = The original ''Star Wars'' trilogy logos | director = {{Plainlist| * George Lucas ''(IV)'' * Irvin Kershner ''(V)'' * Richard Marquand ''(VI)'' }} | producer = {{Plainlist| * Gary Kurtz ''(IV–V)'' * Howard Kazanjian ''(VI)'' }} | writer = | screenplay = {{Plainlist| * George Lucas ''(IV, VI)'' * Lawrence Kasdan ''(V–VI)'' * Leigh Brackett ''(V)'' }} | story = George Lucas | starring = {{Plainlist| * Mark Hamill * Harrison Ford * Carrie Fisher * Peter Cushing ''(IV)'' * Alec Guinness * Billy Dee Williams ''(V–VI)'' * Anthony Daniels * David Prowse * James Earl Jones * Kenny Baker * Peter Mayhew * Frank Oz ''(V–VI)'' * Ian McDiarmid ''(VI)'' }} | music = John Williams | cinematography = {{Plainlist| * Gilbert Taylor ''(IV)'' * Peter Suschitzky ''(V)'' * Alan Hume ''(VI)'' }} | editing = {{Plainlist| * Marcia Lucas ''(IV, VI)'' * Paul Hirsch ''(IV–V)'' * Richard Chew ''(IV)'' * Sean Barton ''(VI)'' * Duwayne Dunham ''(VI)'' }} | distributor = {{small|'''1977–2019''':}} 20th Century Fox {{small|'''since 2019''':}} Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures{{Efn|According to the 2012 deal, physical distribution rights to ''Episodes V''–''VI'' were set to move to Disney in 2020, while rights to ''Episode IV'' were set to stay with Fox, but eventually rights for the trilogy moved to Disney in 2019 as a result of the acquisition of Fox. Theatrical re-releases are still distributed under the 20th Century Studios label.}} | released = 1977–1983 | country = United States | language = English | budget = $76.5 million ''(total for IV–VI)'' | gross = $1.798 billion ''(total for IV–VI)'' | production_companies = {{Plainlist| * Lucasfilm Ltd. }} }}

The '''original ''Star Wars'' trilogy''', formerly marketed as the '''''Star Wars'' Trilogy''' (and colloquially referred to as the ''''original trilogy'''<nowiki/>' or '''classic trilogy'''), is the first set of three films produced in the ''Star Wars'' franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by 20th Century Fox, and consists of ''Star Wars'' (1977),{{EpIV}} ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) and ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983). Beginning ''in medias res'', the original trilogy serves as the second act of the nine-episode Skywalker Saga. It was followed by a prequel trilogy between 1999 and 2005, and a sequel trilogy between 2015 and 2019. Collectively, they are referred to as the "Skywalker Saga" to distinguish them from {{nowrap|spin-off}} films set within the same fictional universe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars: Episode IX Cast Announced|website=StarWars.com|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-announced|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=November 24, 2018|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626051000/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-ix-cast-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>

The films center on the Galactic Civil War between the Rebel Alliance and the tyrannical Galactic Empire, as well as the archetypical hero's journey of Luke Skywalker in his quest to become a Jedi under the tutelage of exiled Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Luke joins forces with Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the Rebel Alliance in facing the Empire and the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.

The original ''Star Wars'' film received widespread acclaim from critics for its storytelling, characters, John Williams' musical score and its groundbreaking visual and sound effects. The film surpassed 1975's ''Jaws'' as the highest grossing film of all time, turning science fiction films into a blockbuster genre, until it was surpassed by ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' in 1982. ''Star Wars'' and ''The Empire Strikes Back'' have been hailed as among the greatest and most important films of all time. Since the original trilogy's release and success, ''Star Wars'' has become a pop culture phenomenon, spawning a multimedia franchise, consisting of countless TV series, video games, books and theme park attractions, complete with a multi-million dollar merchandising empire. All three films have been inducted by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

== Background == In 1971, Lucas wanted to film an adaptation of the ''Flash Gordon'' serial, but could not obtain the rights. He began developing his own story inspired by the work of Edgar Rice Burroughs.{{efn|''Flash Gordon'' creator Alex Raymond had been influenced by ''John Carter of Mars'' in particular.}}<ref>{{cite web|title=The Cinema Behind Star Wars: John Carter|website=StarWars.com|last=Young|first=Bryan|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-john-carter|date=December 21, 2015|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142622/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-john-carter|url-status=live}}</ref> Immediately after directing ''American Graffiti'' (1973), Lucas wrote a two-page synopsis for his space opera, titled ''Journal of the Whills''. After United Artists, Universal Studios and Disney rejected the film, 20th Century Fox decided to invest in it.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vallely|first=Jean|date=June 12, 1980|title=The Empire Strikes Back and So Does Filmmaker George Lucas With His Sequel to Star Wars|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>{{Sfn|Rinzler|2007|p=8}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Kyle|title=How 'Star Wars' was secretly George Lucas' Vietnam protest|url=https://nypost.com/2014/09/21/how-star-wars-was-secretly-george-lucas-protest-of-vietnam/|access-date=September 22, 2014|work=The New York Post|date=September 21, 2014|archive-date=September 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922100823/http://nypost.com/2014/09/21/how-star-wars-was-secretly-george-lucas-protest-of-vietnam/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lucas felt his original story was too difficult to understand, so on April 17, 1973, he began writing a 13-page script titled ''The Star Wars'', sharing strong similarities with Akira Kurosawa's ''The Hidden Fortress'' (1958).{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=50}} By May 1974, he had expanded the script into the first draft of a screenplay,<ref>{{Cite video|title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy|medium=DVD|date=2004|publisher=Star Wars Trilogy Box Set DVD documentary|minutes=14}}</ref> adding elements such as the Sith and the Death Star, but found that the script had grown too long for a single film.<ref>{{Cite video|title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy|medium=DVD|date=2004|publisher=Star Wars Trilogy Box Set DVD documentary|minutes=16}}</ref> Subsequent drafts evolved into the script of the original film.<ref name=starkiller>{{cite web|access-date=March 27, 2008|url=http://starwarz.com/starkiller/scripts.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628065925/http://www.starwarz.com/starkiller/scripts.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2006|title=Starkiller |publisher=Jedi Bendu}}</ref>

Lucas negotiated to retain the sequel rights. Tom Pollock, then Lucas's lawyer, writes: "We came to an agreement that George would retain the sequel rights. Not all the [merchandising rights] that came later, mind you; just the sequel rights. And Fox would get a first opportunity and last refusal right to make the movie."<ref name=rights>{{cite web |title=An Architect Of Hollywood's Greatest Deal Recalls How George Lucas Won Sequel Rights |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-franchise-george-lucas-historic-rights-deal-tom-pollock-1201669419/ |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190826/https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-franchise-george-lucas-historic-rights-deal-tom-pollock-1201669419/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas was offered $50,000 to write, another $50,000 to produce, and $50,000 to direct the film;<ref name=rights /> his directing compensation was later increased to $100,000. He also negotiated the sequel rights and ownership of 40% of the merchandising profits.<ref>{{Cite video|title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy|medium=DVD|date=2004|publisher=Star Wars Trilogy Box Set DVD documentary|minutes=18}}</ref><ref name=merch>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-lucas-star-wars-288513|title=The Real Force Behind 'Star Wars': How George Lucas Built an Empire|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 9, 2012|access-date=September 26, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032535/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-lucas-star-wars-288513|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=30 pieces of trivia about ''Star Wars''|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6679425.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=May 9, 2014|date=May 23, 2007|archive-date=May 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215759/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6679425.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''American Graffiti'' cast member Harrison Ford had given up on acting to try to become a carpenter, until Lucas hired him to play Han Solo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mashable.com/2017/04/13/han-solo-george-lucas/|title=Harrison Ford to George Lucas: You're wrong about Han Solo|last=Taylor|first=Chris|date=April 13, 2017|website=Mashable|access-date=December 27, 2018|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809091530/https://mashable.com/2017/04/13/han-solo-george-lucas/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the development of the trilogy after the initial conception of the first film, Lucas took inspiration from Marvel Comics and the characters from the Marvel Universe who were popular in the 1970s to come up with many plot points and ideas for various designs.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wolk |first=Douglas |title=All of the Marvels |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2021 |isbn=9780735222182 |location=New York |page=1 |author-link=Douglas Wolk}}</ref>

== Casting == Thousands of actors were assessed in the search for the trilogy's main cast.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Steven |title=Actors Who Almost Appeared in Star Wars |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/actors-who-almost-appeared-in-star-wars |website=StarWars.com |access-date=August 17, 2019 |date=August 20, 2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134137/https://www.starwars.com/news/actors-who-almost-appeared-in-star-wars |url-status=live }}</ref> The selected actors are considered by many viewers to have onscreen chemistry even though some of them were inexperienced, with the notable exceptions of Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Kevin |title=What If The Original Star Wars Trilogy Was Cast Today? |url=https://screenrant.com/best-fan-cast-star-wars-original-trilogy/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=August 17, 2019 |date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102081635/https://screenrant.com/best-fan-cast-star-wars-original-trilogy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chiodaroli |first=David |title=10 Behind the Scenes Stories from the Original Star Wars Trilogy |url=https://screenrant.com/behind-scenes-stories-original-star-wars-trilogy/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=August 17, 2019 |date=May 20, 2019 |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817234044/https://screenrant.com/behind-scenes-stories-original-star-wars-trilogy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Some, like Ford, have called the dialogue in the scripts clunky, and several lines were unscripted; some of these are considered the most memorable moments in the films.{{efn| Ford's lines "We're fine. We're all fine here, now, thank you. How are you?" in ''A New Hope'' and "I know" in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' were improvised, and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) was not aware he was being filmed when he said "I can't see a thing in this helmet" during the filming of ''A New Hope''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Maurice |title=9 Greatest Unscripted Moments in "Star Wars" Movie History |url=http://www.thegeektwins.com/2018/05/9-greatest-unscripted-moments-in-star.html |website=The Geek Twins |access-date=August 17, 2019 |date=May 4, 2018 |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817234051/http://www.thegeektwins.com/2018/05/9-greatest-unscripted-moments-in-star.html |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

== Films == ''Star Wars''{{EpIV}} was released on May 25, 1977; unlikely hero Luke Skywalker is drawn into a galactic conflict between the Empire and Rebel Alliance by two droids and an old Jedi Knight; he helps make one of the Rebellion's most significant victories. The film's unanticipated success led Lucas to make it the basis of an elaborate serial.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=142}} With the backstory he created for the sequel, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies,<ref name=PrevueLucas>Steranko, "George Lucas", ''Prevue'' No. 42, September–October 1980.</ref> with the original film given the subtitle ''Episode IV – A New Hope'' to establish it as the first part of the second trilogy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://screenprism.com/insights/article/was-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-originally-released-under-another-title|title=Why was "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" originally released under another title|work=ScreenPrism|last=Saporito|first=Jeff|date=November 11, 2015|access-date=November 7, 2018|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118100506/http://screenprism.com/insights/article/was-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-originally-released-under-another-title|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first sequel, ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back'', was released on May 21, 1980, and sees Luke begin training as a Jedi under the last living Jedi master, Yoda. Luke confronts Sith Lord Darth Vader, who is revealed to be Luke's father. Vader attempts to convert Luke to the dark side of the Force. The third film, ''Episode VI – Return of the Jedi'', was released on May 25, 1983, and follows Luke as a full-fledged Jedi. Luke succeeds in redeeming Vader, thereby saving the galaxy from the Empire. The sequels were self-financed by Lucasfilm, and generally advertised without the episodic number distinction present in their opening crawls.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ ! width=19%| Film ! Release date ! Director ! Screenwriter(s) ! Story by ! Producer(s) ! Distributor |- ! {{center|''Star Wars''{{Efn|Also known as ''Star Wars: A New Hope'' or ''Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope''.}}}} | style="text-align:left"|{{start date|1977|5|25}} | colspan="3" | George Lucas | rowspan="2" | Gary Kurtz | rowspan="3" | 20th Century Fox {{small|(initial)}} Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |- ! {{center|''The Empire Strikes Back''{{Efn|Also known as ''Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back''.}}}} | style="text-align:left"|{{start date|1980|5|21}} | colspan="1" | Irvin Kershner | colspan="1" | Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan | rowspan="2" | George Lucas |- ! {{center|''Return of the Jedi''{{Efn|Also known as ''Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi''.}}}} | style="text-align:left"|{{start date|1983|5|25}} | colspan="1" | Richard Marquand | colspan="1" | Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas | colspan="1" | Howard Kazanjian |- |}

=== ''A New Hope'' === {{Main|Star Wars (film)}} {{multiple image | total_width = 370 | caption_align = left | image1 = Mark Hamill (48419236062) Cropped.jpg | image2 = Harrison Ford by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg | image3 = Carrie Fisher 2013 cropped retouched.jpg | footer = The central three characters of the original trilogy were played by Mark Hamill (Luke), Harrison Ford (Han), and Carrie Fisher (Leia), respectively.}}

The Tantive IV is intercepted by the Empire above the desert planet of Tatooine. Aboard, Sith Lord Darth Vader and his stormtroopers capture Princess Leia Organa, a secret member of the Rebel Alliance. Before her capture, Leia makes sure the droid {{nowrap|R2-D2}} will escape with stolen Imperial plans for an armored space station, the Death Star, and a holographic message for the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has been living in exile on Tatooine. Along with {{nowrap|C-3PO}}, {{nowrap|R2-D2}} falls under the ownership of Luke Skywalker, a farmboy who has been raised by his aunt Beru Whitesun Lars and uncle Owen Lars. Luke helps the droids locate {{nowrap|Obi-Wan}}, now a solitary old hermit known as Ben Kenobi. He reveals himself as a friend of Luke's absent father, Anakin Skywalker, who was {{nowrap|Obi-Wan}}'s Jedi apprentice until being supposedly murdered by Vader. He tells Luke he must also become a Jedi. After discovering his family's homestead has been destroyed by the Empire, they go to the Mos Eisley Cantina and hire the smuggler Han Solo, his Wookiee {{nowrap|co-pilot}} Chewbacca and their YT-1300 freighter, the ''Millennium Falcon''. They discover that Leia's homeworld of Alderaan has been destroyed, and are soon captured by the planet-destroying Death Star itself. While {{nowrap|Obi-Wan}} disables its tractor beam, Luke and Han rescue the captive Princess Leia, passing through incredible dangers. Finally, they deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance with the hope of exploiting a weakness, and launch an attack on the Death Star, ultimately destroying the weapon and bringing victory to the Rebel Alliance.<ref name="star wars 4">{{Cite video|title=Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2006|medium=DVD}}</ref>

[[File:Star Wars Celebration (the 1st) - Ben Burtt, sound designer and editor (4878913832).jpg|thumb|200px|left|Ben Burtt designed the soundscape of the original trilogy.]] The first rough draft, titled ''The Star Wars'', introduced "the Force" and the young hero Luke Starkiller. Annikin {{sic}} appeared as Luke's father, a wise Jedi knight. Between drafts, Lucas read Joseph Campbell's ''The Hero with a Thousand Faces'', and was surprised to find that his story "was following classical motifs."<ref>Stephen and Robin Larsen, ''Joseph Campbell: A Fire in the Mind''. 2002, p. 541.</ref> The third draft replaced (a deceased) Annikin with Obi-Wan Kenobi.<ref name=starkiller />{{efn|In the draft, Kenobi's first meeting with Luke is lifted directly from ''The Hobbit'', acknowledging Gandalf as a source of inspiration.<ref>{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=Chris|title=How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise|year=2015|publisher=Performing Arts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uG0uCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT96|page=96|isbn=978-0-465-09751-7|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111154527/https://books.google.com/books?id=uG0uCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT96|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Some months later, Lucas had negotiated a contract that gave him rights to two sequels. Lucas hired Alan Dean Foster, who was ghostwriting the novelization of the first film, to write them—with the main creative restriction that they could be filmed on a low budget.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2007|p=107}} By 1976, a fourth draft had been prepared for principal photography. The film was titled ''The Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars''. During production, Lucas changed Luke's name to Skywalker and shortened the title to ''The Star Wars'', and finally just ''Star Wars''.<ref name=starkiller /> At that point, Lucas was not expecting the film to warrant full-scale sequels. The fourth draft of the script underwent subtle changes to become a self-contained story ending with the destruction of the Empire in the Death Star. The intention was that if the film was successful, Lucas could adapt Foster's novels into low-budget sequels.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=38}} By that point, Lucas had developed a tentative backstory to aid in developing the saga.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=134}}

''Star Wars'' exceeded all expectations. The success of the film and its merchandise sales led Lucas to make ''Star Wars'' the basis of an elaborate film serial,{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=142}} and use the profits to finance his filmmaking center, Skywalker Ranch.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Baxter | first = John | title = Mythmaker | year = 1999 | page = [https://archive.org/details/mythmakerlifewor00baxt/page/173 173] | publisher = HarperCollins | isbn = 978-0-380-97833-5 | url = https://archive.org/details/mythmakerlifewor00baxt/page/173 }}</ref> After the release of the first sequel, the original film was subtitled ''Episode IV: A New Hope'' in the screenplay released in the 1979 book ''The Art of Star Wars''<ref>{{cite tweet|user=pablohidalgo|last=Hidalgo|first=Pablo|number=1096499575131594752|title=(And just to preemptively 'well, actually' myself, 'Episode IV: A New Hope' was made public by publishing it in the screenplay in 1979's Art of Star Wars book. But it wasn't added to the crawl until 1981)|date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> and for all subsequent re-releases, beginning with a theatrical re-release in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inafarawaygalaxy.com/2015/12/when-did-star-wars-become-known-as-new.html|title=When did Star Wars become known as A New Hope? – In A Far Away Galaxy|author=James Ryan|access-date=November 17, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116101332/https://www.inafarawaygalaxy.com/2015/12/when-did-star-wars-become-known-as-new.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://screenprism.com/insights/article/was-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-originally-released-under-another-title|title=Why was "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" originally released under another title – ScreenPrism|author=ScreenPrism|access-date=November 17, 2018|archive-date=November 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118100506/http://screenprism.com/insights/article/was-star-wars-episode-iv-a-new-hope-originally-released-under-another-title|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== ''The Empire Strikes Back'' === {{Main|The Empire Strikes Back}}

Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Empire forces the Rebel Alliance to evacuate its secret base on Hoth. Instructed by Obi-Wan's spirit, Luke travels to the swamp world of Dagobah to find the Jedi Master Yoda in hiding. Luke's Jedi training is interrupted by Vader, who lures him into a trap by capturing Han and Leia at Cloud City, governed by Han's old friend Lando, as a result of their capture, Han Solo is frozen in carbonite and is awarded to Jabba the Hutt as he and Han had unresolved business. During a fierce duel, Vader reveals that he is Luke's father and severs his hand.<ref name="star wars 5">{{Cite video|title =The Empire Strikes Back|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2004|medium=DVD}}</ref>

Owing to financial concerns, Alan Dean Foster's sequel novel, ''Splinter of the Mind's Eye'' (1978), restricted the story to Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-first-star-wars-sequel-inside-the-writing-of-splinter-of-the-minds-eye|title=The First Star Wars sequel: Inside the writing of Splinter of the Mind's Eye|first=John|last=Wenz|date=January 1, 2018|access-date=August 16, 2018|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231749/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-first-star-wars-sequel-inside-the-writing-of-splinter-of-the-minds-eye|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fry|first=Jason|title=Alan Dean Foster: Author of the ''Mind's Eye''|magazine=Star Wars Insider|issue=50 |date=July–August 2000}}</ref> After the success of the original film, Lucas knew a sequel would be granted a reasonable budget, and hired Leigh Brackett to write it from Lucas's story. She finished a draft by early 1978, but died of cancer before Lucas was able to discuss changes he wanted her to make.{{Sfn|Bouzereau|1997|p=144}} His disappointment with the first draft may have made him consider new directions.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=161}} Lucas penned the next draft, the first screenplay to feature episodic numbering for a ''Star Wars'' story.{{Sfn |Bouzereau|1997|p=135}} Lucas found this draft enjoyable to write, as opposed to the yearlong struggle writing the first film, and quickly wrote two more<ref name="Bouzereau 1997 123">{{harvnb |Bouzereau|1997|p= 123}}</ref> in April 1978. The plot twist of Vader being Luke's father had drastic effects on the series.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|pp=120–21}} After writing these drafts, Lucas fleshed out the backstory between Anakin, Obi-Wan, and the Emperor.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|pp=164–65}}

With this new backstory in place, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies,<ref name=PrevueLucas /> designating the first sequel ''Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'' in the next draft.<ref name="Bouzereau 1997 123" /> Lawrence Kasdan, who had just completed writing ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'', was hired to write the next drafts, and given additional input from director Irvin Kershner. Kasdan, Kershner, and producer Gary Kurtz saw the film as a more serious and adult story, and developed the sequel from the light adventure roots of the first film.{{Sfn |Kaminski|2008|p=178}}

=== ''Return of the Jedi'' === {{multiple image | total_width = 266| | align = right | image1 = Frank Oz 2012.jpg | image2 = Ian McDiarmid Brussels Comic Con 2020.jpg | footer = Puppeteer Frank Oz and actor Ian McDiarmid portrayed Yoda and Darth Sidious, respectively, in the original trilogy and returned to play them in the prequel trilogy and sequel trilogy. | direction = | alt1 = | caption1 = | caption2 = }}

About a year after Han's capture, Luke joins Leia and Lando in a rescue attempt to save him from the crimelord Jabba the Hutt. Afterward, Luke returns to Dagobah to complete his Jedi training, only to find Yoda on his deathbed.<ref name="Mackey-Kallis2010">{{cite book|author=Susan Mackey-Kallis|title=The Hero and the Perennial Journey Home in American Film|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GRArN-NMk0wC&pg=PA221|year=2010|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn=978-0-8122-0013-3|pages=221–}}</ref> In his last words, Yoda confirms the truth about Luke's father, and that Luke must confront Vader again to complete his training, Yoda also reveals that Luke has a sister, that being Leia. As the Rebels lead an attack on the second Death Star, Luke engages Vader in a lightsaber duel as the Emperor watches; both Sith Lords intend to turn Luke to the dark side and take him as their apprentice, but Luke refuses to join the dark side. Palpatine gets frustrated and uses Force lightning on Luke. Vader watches then saves Luke, redeeming himself but becoming fatally injured. Luke escapes the Death Star and Lando Calrissian blows it up, and the Rebels celebrate their victory.<ref name="star wars 6">{{Cite video|title = Return of the Jedi|publisher=20th Century Fox|date=2004|medium= DVD}}</ref>

Ford had originally not signed on to appear in a third film, but was convinced to return under the condition that his character would die. Kurtz wanted a bittersweet and nuanced ending outlined with Lucas that not only saw Han dead, but also depicted the Rebel forces in pieces, Leia struggling as a queen, and Luke walking off alone (as in a Spaghetti Western)—while Lucas wanted a happier ending, partly to encourage toy sales. This led to tension between the two, resulting in Kurtz leaving the production.<ref name="LostEnding">Geoff Boucher (August 12, 2010). [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/08/star-wars-was-born-a-long-time-ago-but-not-all-that-far-far-away-in-1972-filmmakers-george-lucas-and-gary-kurtz-wer.html "Did ''Star Wars'' become a toy story? Producer Gary Kurtz looks back"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816054750/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/08/star-wars-was-born-a-long-time-ago-but-not-all-that-far-far-away-in-1972-filmmakers-george-lucas-and-gary-kurtz-wer.html |date=August 16, 2010 }}. ''Los Angeles Times'', Calendar section</ref>

== Themes == The ''Star Wars'' trilogy, unlike science fiction that features sleek and futuristic settings, portrays the galaxy as dirty and grimy in Lucas's concept of a "used universe".<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last=Woods|editor-first=Bob|year=1997|title=Launching the Rebellion|magazine=Star Wars: Official 20th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine|location=New York|publisher=Topps|page=9}}</ref> This was in part inspired by the period films of Akira Kurosawa, which like the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, often begin ''in medias res'' without explaining a complete backstory.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Brian Jay |title=George Lucas: A Life |date=2016 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |location=New York |isbn=978-0-316-25744-2 |page=59}}</ref>

Political science has been an important element of ''Star Wars'' since the franchise launched in 1977, focusing on a struggle between democracy and dictatorship. Darth Vader's design, initially inspired by Samurai armor, also incorporated a German military helmet.<ref name=wpo>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/ralph-mcquarrie-artist-who-drewdarth-vader-c-3po-dies-at-82/2012/03/04/gIQAY2AYrR_story.html|title=Ralph McQuarrie, artist who drew Darth Vader, C-3PO, dies at 82|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Rees Shapiro, T.|access-date=October 2, 2018|date=March 5, 2012|archive-date=August 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821042744/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/ralph-mcquarrie-artist-who-drewdarth-vader-c-3po-dies-at-82/2012/03/04/gIQAY2AYrR_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gilbey|first=Ryan|title=John Mollo obituary: Star Wars costume designer who dressed Darth Vader|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/01/john-mollo-obituary|website=The Guardian|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330143416/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/01/john-mollo-obituary|url-status=live}}</ref> Lucas originally conceived of the Sith as a group that served the Emperor in the same way that the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) served Adolf Hitler; this was condensed into one character in the form of Vader.{{sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=184}} Lucas has also drawn parallels between Palpatine and historical dictators such as Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and politicians like Richard Nixon.<ref>{{cite news|title=Star Wars: Attack of the Clones |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020429/story2.html|work=Time|date=April 21, 2002|access-date=December 13, 2009|quote=The people give their democracy to a dictator, whether it's Julius Caesar or Napoleon or Adolf Hitler. Ultimately, the general population goes along with the idea ... That's the issue I've been exploring: how did the Republic turn into the Empire?|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020605161308/http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101020429/story2.html|archive-date=June 5, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m81Bg4E_y_IC|title=Star Wars and History|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=August 30, 2013|isbn=978-1-118-28525-1|last1=Reagin|first1=Nancy R.|last2=Liedl|first2=Janice|page=32|publisher=Wiley |archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111154528/https://books.google.com/books?id=m81Bg4E_y_IC|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|In his early drafts, Lucas used the plot point of a dictator staying in power with the support of the military. In his comment (made in the prequel trilogy era) Lucas attributed this to Nixon's supposed intention to defy the 22nd Amendment,{{sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=95}} but the president was actually impeached and never ran for a third term. Fellow Republican President Ronald Reagan sought to repeal the movement ''after'' leaving the office.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/us/reagan-wants-end-of-two-term-limit.html|title=Reagan Wants End of Two-Term Limit|last=Molotsky|first=Irvin|date=November 29, 1987|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-date=July 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723133323/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/29/us/reagan-wants-end-of-two-term-limit.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} Stormtroopers borrow the name of World War I "shock" troopers,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/from-world-war-to-star-wars-stormtroopers|title=From World War to Star Wars: Stormtroopers|first=Cole|last=Horton|date=October 15, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2022|work=Star Wars|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104050254/https://www.starwars.com/news/from-world-war-to-star-wars-stormtroopers|url-status=live}}</ref> Imperial officers wear uniforms resembling those of German forces during World War II,<ref name=ss>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m81Bg4E_y_IC|title=Star Wars and History|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=August 30, 2013|isbn=978-1-118-28525-1|last1=Reagin|first1=Nancy R.|last2=Liedl|first2=Janice|page=144|publisher=Wiley |archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111154528/https://books.google.com/books?id=m81Bg4E_y_IC|url-status=live}}</ref> and political and security officers resemble the black-clad SS down to the stylized silver death's head on their caps. World War II terms were used for names in the films, ''e.g.'' the planets Kessel (a term that refers to a group of encircled forces) and Hoth (after Hermann Hoth, a German general who served on the snow-laden Eastern Front).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/news/the-real-history-that-inspired-star-wars|title=The Real History That Inspired "Star Wars"|last=Klein|first=Christopher|date=August 22, 2018|publisher=History.com|access-date=2022-01-05|archive-date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613190212/http://www.history.com/news/the-real-history-that-inspired-star-wars|url-status=live}}</ref> Shots of the commanders looking through AT-AT walker viewscreens in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' resemble tank interiors,<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Bryan |title=The Cinema Behind Star Wars: Battle of the Bulge |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-battle-of-the-bulge |website=StarWars.com |access-date=March 25, 2019 |date=January 21, 2014 |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921103135/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-battle-of-the-bulge |url-status=live }}</ref> and space battles in the original film were based on dogfights from both world wars.<ref>{{Cite video|title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy|medium=DVD|date=2004|publisher=Star Wars Trilogy Box Set DVD documentary}}</ref>

== Re-releases == The original ''Star Wars'' film was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Star Wars Ep. IV: A New Hope'' – Box Office Data, DVD and Blu-ray Sales, Movie News, Cast and Crew Information|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars#tab=summary|website=The Numbers|access-date=May 19, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517182918/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars#tab=summary|url-status=live}}</ref> All three films were released on various home video formats, including LaserDisc and VHS, until 1996.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Fitzpatrick|first1=Eileen|last2=Goldstein|first2=Seth|date=July 1, 1997|title=Video at 'Miracle' Price; Last Shot for 'Star Wars'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rgsEAAAAMBAJ|magazine=Billboard|page=107|access-date=July 19, 2017|via=Google Books|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111154528/https://books.google.com/books?id=rgsEAAAAMBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> The trilogy was theatrically re-released in a 1997 "Special Edition", featuring various additions and changes, some of which were met with negative reception. These versions were released on VHS, replacing the original versions of the films as part of Lucas's original vision,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dan |title="All Films Are Personal": An Oral History of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-oral-history |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Fox TV Special – "Star Wars: The Magic and the Mystery" (1997), [RAW]* | date=December 15, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b95U5ag9Lrc |access-date=2023-06-28 |language=en}}</ref> and were created in part to reinvigorate interest in the saga ahead of the prequel trilogy. The special edition of ''Star Wars'' made its broadcast premiere on February 5, 1998, on WB stations across the country (including New York and Los Angeles). Further changes to all three films were made for a DVD release in 2004, intended to bring the films into greater continuity with the prequels. The films were re-released again in 2006 with bonus discs of the original versions of the films (transferred from the 1993 LaserDiscs).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-changes/|title=Who Shot First? The Complete List Of Star Wars Changes|last=Kirby|first=Ben|date=January 31, 2017|magazine=Empire|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-date=August 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824220958/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-changes/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, both together and separate prequel and original trilogy box sets were released on Blu-ray, all including another round of changes and additions.

In the early 2010s, 3D releases were planned for the then-six-film franchise. Disney ultimately decided in 2013, after acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, to cancel the remaining releases to focus on ''The Force Awakens.''<ref>{{Cite web |first=Scott |last=Collura |date=January 28, 2013 |title=Star Wars 3D Releases Reportedly Cancelled |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/28/star-wars-3d-releases-reportedly-cancelled |access-date=2023-06-28 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm since the 2012 acquisition, stated that she would not make alterations to Lucas's original trilogy, because "those will always remain his."<ref>{{cite web |last=Britt |first=Ryan |title=Why Lucasfilm Says Unaltered 'Star Wars' Trilogy Will Never Return |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/30745-star-wars-original-cut-unaltered-george-lucas-special-edition |website=Inverse |access-date=August 25, 2019 |date=April 25, 2017 |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826053501/https://www.inverse.com/article/30745-star-wars-original-cut-unaltered-george-lucas-special-edition |url-status=live }}</ref> While promoting ''The Rise of Skywalker'', director J. J. Abrams expressed his hopes that the original versions of the trilogy would be officially released, but said that the powers that be had told him "that that's not necessarily possible". He further said that when making ''The Force Awakens'', he had gotten into a disagreement about the dialogue between Vader and the Emperor in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' before realizing that different versions of the film were being referred to; he cited the fan-created ''Despecialized Editions'' of the films, while the other party had recalled the current official version.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=nowthisnews|author=Now This|number=1204960815821946880|title=J.J. Abrams is calling for the original versions of 'Star Wars' to be released|date=December 11, 2019|access-date=December 15, 2019}}</ref>

It was initially unclear whether the first six ''Star Wars'' films would be available on Disney+ upon the service's launch, as TBS held streaming rights through 2024 as part of its cable rights to the franchise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-02/disney-is-said-to-seek-star-wars-rights-back-from-tbs-tnt|title=Disney Is Seeking 'Star Wars' Rights Back From TBS, TNT|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|date=August 2, 2018|work=Bloomberg|access-date=March 8, 2019|archive-date=March 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321153300/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-02/disney-is-said-to-seek-star-wars-rights-back-from-tbs-tnt|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on April 11, 2019, it was announced that the films would be available at launch.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whitbrook |first=James |title=The Mandalorian Will Premiere on Disney+ November 12 |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-mandalorian-will-be-available-on-disney-from-day-o-1833985687/ |work=io9 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412063838/https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-mandalorian-will-be-available-on-disney-from-day-o-1833985687/amp |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception == {{Further|List of Star Wars films#Reception}}

=== Box office ===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" | Film ! rowspan="2" | Release date ! rowspan="2" | Budget ! colspan="4" | Box office revenue ! colspan="2" | Box office ranking ! rowspan="2" | {{Reference column heading}} |- ! North America ! Adjusted for inflation (North America){{Efn |Adjusting for inflation is complicated by the fact that the first films have had multiple releases in different years, so their earnings cannot be simply adjusted by the initial year of release. Inflation adjusted figures for 2005 can be found in {{cite book |editor1-last=Block|editor1-first=Alex Ben|editor2-last=Wilson|editor2-first=Lucy Autrey|year=2010|title = George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-By-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-177889-6| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vpbuSXSSqdkC&pg=PA519 | page = 519}} Adjustment to constant dollars is undertaken in conjunction with the United States Consumer Price Index provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, using 2005 as the base year.{{Inflation-fn |US}}}} ! Other territories ! Worldwide ! style="width:5%;"| All-time North America ! style="width:5%;"| All-time worldwide |- | ''Star Wars'' | May 25, 1977 | $11 million | $460,998,007 | $1,608,419,900 | $314,600,000 | $775,598,007 | No. 16 | No. 90 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars4.htm&adjust_yr=2019&p=.htm|title=Star Wars (1977) – Box Office Mojo|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035008/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars4.htm&adjust_yr=2019&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars4.htm | title=Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=May 15, 2019 | archive-date=March 12, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312144337/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars4.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> |- | ''The Empire Strikes Back'' | May 21, 1980 | $33 million | $290,075,067 | $886,571,200 | $257,900,000 | $547,975,067 | No. 91 | No. 183 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars5.htm&adjust_yr=2019&p=.htm|title=The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Box Office Mojo|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035048/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars5.htm&adjust_yr=2019&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars5.htm | title=Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=May 15, 2019 | archive-date=June 27, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627091248/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars5.htm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&country=UK&id=starwars5.htm|title=The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – International Box Office Results – Box Office Mojo|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301140054/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&country=UK&id=starwars5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | ''Return of the Jedi'' | May 25, 1983 | $32.5 million | $309,306,177 | $849,356,500 | $166,000,000 | $475,306,177 | No. 75 | No. 220 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars6.htm&adjust_yr=2019&p=.htm|title=Return of the Jedi (1983) – Box Office Mojo|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035114/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars6.htm&adjust_yr=2019&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars6.htm | title = Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) | publisher = Box Office Mojo | access-date = May 15, 2019 | archive-date = May 18, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190518155939/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars6.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> |- ! colspan="2" | Total ! $76.5 million ! ${{val|fmt=commas|{{#expr:460998007+290475067+309306177}}}} ! $3,344,347,600 ! ${{val|fmt=commas|{{#expr:314600000+247900000+166000000}}}} ! ${{val|fmt=commas|{{#expr:775598007+547975067+475306177}}}} !#2 !#2 ! |}

=== Critical response === The original ''Star Wars'' film was released in the summer of 1977 to critical acclaim and was a huge summer blockbuster, surpassing ''Jaws'' (1975), until 1982 when it was surpassed by ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial''. The following year, it won six out of its eleven nominations at the 50th Academy Awards. The success of the first film led to it becoming a pop cultural phenomenon spawning countless TV spin-offs, video games, films and a multi-merchandising empire. It was followed by two installments, ''The Empire Strikes Back'' (1980) and ''Return of the Jedi'' (1983), which were also both very successful, with the former's climax, where Vader says that he is Luke's father, becoming one of the most famous plot twists in motion picture history.

The original trilogy was praised for its groundbreaking visual and sound effects, John Williams' music, writing, characters and concept. ''Star Wars'' and ''The Empire Strikes Back'' are considered by many to be among the greatest movies ever made,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Jason |title='Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' Voted Greatest Movie of All Time |url=https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back-voted-greatest-movie-of-all-time/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=August 11, 2019 |date=May 31, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811085507/https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back-voted-greatest-movie-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while ''Return of the Jedi'' was well-received but not considered to be on par with its predecessors.<ref>{{cite web |last=Newbold |first=Mark |title=Critical Opinion: Return of the Jedi Original Reviews |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/critical-opinion-return-of-the-jedi-original-reviews |website=StarWars.com |access-date=August 11, 2019 |date=July 2, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811084004/https://www.starwars.com/news/critical-opinion-return-of-the-jedi-original-reviews |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Film ! Rotten Tomatoes ! Metacritic !Cinemascore | |- | ''Star Wars'' | 93% (8.80/10 average rating) (140 reviews)<ref name = rotnew>{{cite web | url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars/ | title= Star Wars | publisher= Rotten Tomatoes | access-date= January 7, 2024 | archive-date= May 6, 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190506141547/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars | url-status= live }}</ref> |90 (24 reviews)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/starwars?q=star%20wars| title=Star Wars: Reviews| publisher=Metacritic| access-date=December 16, 2015| archive-date=March 1, 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301092216/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/starwars?q=star%20wars| url-status=live}}</ref> | A+ |- | ''The Empire Strikes Back'' | 95% (9.00/10 average rating) (111 reviews)<ref name=rotempire>{{cite web | url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/empire_strikes_back/ | title= Empire Strikes Back | publisher= Rotten Tomatoes | access-date= January 7, 2024 | archive-date= June 20, 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190620043858/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/empire_strikes_back | url-status= live }}</ref> | 82 (25 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/empirestrikesback?q=empire%20strikes%20back | title=The Empire Strikes Back | publisher=Metacritic | access-date=December 16, 2015 | archive-date=March 1, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301091203/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/empirestrikesback?q=empire%20strikes%20back | url-status=live }}</ref> |A+<ref name="cinemascore19800613">{{Cite news |date=June 13, 1980 |title=CinemaScore |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t3RkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eH4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2080%2C1743789 |access-date=2025-01-29 |work=Calgary Herald |location=Calgary |page=D4}}</ref> | |- | ''Return of the Jedi'' | 83% (7.30/10 average rating) (103 reviews)<ref name = rotreturn>{{cite web | url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_jedi/ | title= Return of the Jedi | publisher= Rotten Tomatoes | access-date= January 7, 2024 | archive-date= May 7, 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190507105607/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_jedi | url-status= live }}</ref> | 58 (24 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/returnofthejedi?q=return%20of%20the%20jedi | title= Return of the Jedi | publisher= Metacritic | access-date= December 16, 2015 | archive-date= March 1, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090301103729/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/returnofthejedi?q=return%20of%20the%20jedi | url-status= live }}</ref> |A+<ref>{{cite web |title=Return Of The Jedi |url=http://www.cinemascore.com:80/find_a_movie.epl?id=Return_Of_The_Jedi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011226161902/http://www.cinemascore.com:80/find_a_movie.epl?id=Return_Of_The_Jedi |archive-date=December 26, 2001 |website=CinemaScore}}</ref> | |}

=== Accolades === In 1989, the Library of Congress selected the original ''Star Wars'' film for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry, as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."<ref name=NFR-Titles>{{cite web|title=U.S. National Film Registry Titles|work=U.S. National Film Registry |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/Unofficial/Movies/NFR-Titles.html|access-date=September 2, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821132951/https://www.cs.cmu.edu/Unofficial/Movies/NFR-Titles.html|archive-date=August 21, 2006}}</ref> ''The Empire Strikes Back'' was selected in 2010,<ref name=congress>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jaseG0DbTvl6sIv1uPc-xelSmvjg?docId=c086d710fa42415cbeff1a6a2f80aa36|title='Empire Strikes Back' among 25 film registry picks|access-date=December 28, 2010|archive-date=December 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231205322/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jaseG0DbTvl6sIv1uPc-xelSmvjg?docId=c086d710fa42415cbeff1a6a2f80aa36|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=hollreporter>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/empire-strikes-airplane-25-movies-65915|title='Empire Strikes Back,' 'Airplane!' Among 25 Movies Named to National Film Registry|access-date=December 28, 2010|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Mike|last=Barnes|date=December 28, 2010|archive-date=December 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230174923/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/empire-strikes-airplane-25-movies-65915|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Return of the Jedi'' was selected in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|date=December 14, 2021|title=National Film Registry Adds ''Return Of The Jedi'', ''Fellowship Of The Ring'', ''Strangers On A Train'', ''Sounder'', ''WALL-E'' & More|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/national-film-registry-2021-list-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-fellowship-of-the-ring-sounder-nightmare-on-elm-street-wall-e-1234890666/|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=July 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702231423/https://deadline.com/2021/12/national-film-registry-2021-list-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-fellowship-of-the-ring-sounder-nightmare-on-elm-street-wall-e-1234890666/|url-status=live}}</ref> 35 mm reels of the 1997 Special Editions were the versions initially presented for preservation because of the difficulty of transferring from the original prints,<ref name=Andrews-NFR>{{cite web|last1=Andrews|first1=Mallory|title=A 'New' New Hope: Film Preservation and the Problem with 'Star Wars'|url=http://www.soundonsight.org/a-new-new-hope-film-preservation-and-the-problem-with-star-wars/|website=soundonsight.org|publisher=Sound on Sight|access-date=July 27, 2014|date=July 21, 2014|quote="the NFR does not possess workable copies of the original versions...Government-mandated agencies such as the National Film Registry are unable to preserve (or even possess) working copies of the films on their list without the consent of the author and/or copyright holder."|archive-date=July 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728002438/http://www.soundonsight.org/a-new-new-hope-film-preservation-and-the-problem-with-star-wars/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Save-SW-NFR>{{cite web|title=Request Denied: Lucas Refuses to Co-Operate with Government Film Preservation Organizations|url=http://savestarwars.com/lucas-nfr.html|website=savestarwars.com|publisher=Saving Star Wars|access-date=July 27, 2014|date=2011|quote=When the request was made for STAR WARS, Lucasfilm offered us the Special Edition version. The offer was declined as this was obviously not the version that had been selected for the Registry.|archive-date=December 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203041304/http://savestarwars.com/lucas-nfr.html|url-status=live}}</ref> but it was later revealed that the Library possessed a copyright deposit print of the original theatrical releases. By 2015, ''Star Wars'' had been transferred to a 2K scan which can be viewed by appointment.<ref name="mashable.com">{{cite web|last=Ulanoff|first=Lance|title=The search for the 'Star Wars' George Lucas doesn't want you to see|url=http://mashable.com/2015/12/17/star-wars-original-cut/#q9dBHW8NZkq0|website=Mashable|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013075503/http://mashable.com/2015/12/17/star-wars-original-cut/#q9dBHW8NZkq0|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Academy Awards ==== {| class="wikitable" style="margin:left;" |- ! style="width:214px;" rowspan="3"| Academy Awards ! colspan="3"|Awards won |- ! style="width:180px;"| ''Star Wars'' ! style="width:180px;"| ''The Empire Strikes Back'' ! style="width:180px;"| ''Return of the Jedi'' |- ! style="width:180px;"| ''50th Academy Awards'' ! style="width:180px;"| ''53rd Academy Awards'' ! style="width:180px;"| ''56th Academy Awards'' |- | '''Best Picture''' | {{nom}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Best Director''' | {{nom}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Best Supporting Actor''' | {{nom}}{{efn|Alec Guinness for the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Best Costume Design''' | {{won}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Best Film Editing''' | {{won}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Best Original Score''' | {{won}} | {{nom}} | {{nom}} |- | '''Best Original Screenplay''' | {{nom}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Best Production Design''' | {{won}} | {{nom}} | {{nom}} |- | '''Best Sound Editing''' | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} | {{nom}} |- | '''Best Sound Mixing''' | {{won}} | {{won}} | {{nom}} |- | '''Best Visual Effects''' | {{won}} | {{n/a}} | {{n/a}} |- | '''Special Achievement Award''' | {{won}}{{efn|Ben Burtt for the creation of the alien, creature, and robot voices}} | {{won}}{{efn|Brian Johnson, Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren and Bruce Nicholson for visual effects}} | {{won}}{{efn|Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston and Phil Tippett for visual effects}} |}

== Impact and legacy == {{Main article|Cultural impact of Star Wars|l1 = Cultural impact of ''Star Wars''}}

=== Popular culture === The popularity of the films have generated numerous references in popular culture works from television series such as ''The Simpsons'', ''Family Guy'', ''South Park'' and ''Robot Chicken'' and films such as ''Clerks'', ''Free Guy'' and ''Toy Story 2'', and in the political lexicon, as in Ted Kennedy's nickname for Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. The trilogy's artistic and technological achievements have been influential on other filmmakers, including Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher, Joss Whedon, Peter Jackson and Christopher Nolan,<ref>{{Cite video|title=The Force Is With Them: The Legacy of Star Wars|publisher=Star Wars Original Trilogy DVD Box Set: Bonus Materials|date=2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Christopher Nolan's Star Wars Inspiration |url=http://hub.contactmusic.com/news/christopher-nolans-star-wars-inspiration_1153625 |publisher=ContactMusic.com |date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219064444/http://hub.contactmusic.com/news/christopher-nolans-star-wars-inspiration_1153625 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as sequel trilogy director J. J. Abrams.

The trilogy's impact has led to future careers of its stars including Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), James Earl Jones (Darth Vader), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Warwick Davis (Wicket W. Warrick).

=== Prequel and sequel trilogies === {{further |Skywalker Saga|Star Wars prequel trilogy|Star Wars sequel trilogy}} The success and large impact of the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy led to two more trilogies, both financially successful, with individual installments receiving mixed to positive reviews.

The prequel trilogy consists of ''The Phantom Menace'' (1999), ''Attack of the Clones'' (2002) and ''Revenge of the Sith'' (2005), all directed by George Lucas. The prequels feature Baker, Daniels, Oz, Mayhew and McDiarmid reprising their roles, alongside Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Liam Neeson and Samuel L. Jackson. After completing his six-film saga, Lucas stated that there would be no further sequels.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wakeman|first=Gregory|date=December 4, 2014|title=George Lucas Was Terrible At Predicting The Future Of Star Wars|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Was-Terrible-Predicting-Future-Star-Wars-68506.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114031020/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Was-Terrible-Predicting-Future-Star-Wars-68506.html|archive-date=January 14, 2020|access-date=June 11, 2021|website=CinemaBlend}}</ref>

In 2012, Disney purchased Lucasfilm and produced a sequel trilogy. This consists of ''The Force Awakens'' (2015), ''The Last Jedi'' (2017), and ''The Rise of Skywalker'' (2019). Lucas had little direct involvement in the creation of these films.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Breznican|first1=Anthony|date=November 20, 2015|title=George Lucas on 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens': 'They weren't keen to have me involved'|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/11/20/george-lucas-star-wars-force-awakens-breakup/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231251/https://ew.com/article/2015/11/20/george-lucas-star-wars-force-awakens-breakup/|archive-date=March 28, 2019|access-date=June 11, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> The new cast features Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Issac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson and Andy Serkis, with several cast members from the original trilogy reprising their roles.

=== Other media === {{Main|Star Wars in other media}}

''Star Wars'' has also been spun off into films outside of the Skywalker Saga, numerous television spin-offs, and hundreds of video games, books, comics and theme park attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== Works cited == {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book | title = The Annotated Screenplays | last = Bouzereau | first = Laurent | year = 1997 | isbn = 978-0-345-40981-2 | publisher = Del Rey }} * {{cite book | title = The Secret History of Star Wars | last = Kaminski | first = Michael | year = 2008 | orig-year = 2007 | publisher = Legacy Books Press | isbn = 978-0-9784652-3-0 }} * {{Cite book | title = The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film (Star Wars)| last = Rinzler | first = Jonathan W. | year = 2007 | publisher = Del Rey | isbn = 978-0-345-49476-4 }} {{refend}} {{Star Wars Trilogy}} {{Star Wars}} {{The Mandalorian}}

Trilogy Category:American film series Category:20th Century Fox films Category:Lucasfilm films Category:Film series introduced in 1977