Early History Creator and Director George Lucas wrote the first version of STAR WARS in 1973 after completing American Graffiti. STAR WARS started as "The Journal of the Whills", which told the tale of the training of apprentice C.J. Thorpe as a "Jedi-Bendu" space commando by the legendary Mace Windy. It then turned into "Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars." followed by "The Star Wars”, until during production he came up with the title we all love: “Star Wars” “A New Hope” was added later to differentiate from the sequels.

Early Character History Early in development, Luke Skywalker's character changed from a 60-year-old general to a member of a family of dwarfs. The Corellian smuggler, Han Solo, was envisioned as a large, green-skinned monster with gills. Chewbacca was inspired by Lucas' Alaskan malamute dog, Indiana, who often acted as the director's "co-pilot" by sitting in the passenger seat of his car. The Force, a mysterious energy field, was initially conceived as the Kyber crystal, a "galactic holy grail."

Episode IV: A New Hope Star Wars debuted on May 25, 1977 in 32 theaters, and proceeded to break house records, effectively becoming one of the first blockbuster films. The film earned $797,900,000 worldwide, making it the first film to reach the $300 million mark. Adjusted for inflation it is the second highest grossing movie of all time in the United States, behind Gone with the Wind.

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back The film is set three years after the destruction of the Death Star . The Empire Strikes Back was released on May 21, 1980 and received mixed reviews from critics, though it has since grown in esteem to become one of the most (if not the most) well-regarded chapters of the saga. Unlike A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back was directed by Irvin Kershner.

Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi The film is set about one year after The Empire Strikes Back and was released in theaters on May 25, 1983. The film was originally titled Revenge of the Jedi, but a few weeks before the film's premiere, Lucas changed the title, saying "revenge" could not be used, as Jedi do not seek revenge. The Huttese language spoken by Jabba the Hut was inspired by the Incan language Quechua.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace The release of the film on May 19, 1999 came almost sixteen years after the previous film in the series, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Lucas began production when he felt special effects had advanced to the level of what he had envisioned for the film. Sets were built only as high as the tops of the actors' heads and computer graphics filled in the rest. But Liam Neeson was so tall that he cost the set crew an extra $150,000 in construction. "Padme", is the Sanskrit word for "lotus". "Yoda" is also derived from the Sanskrit word for "warrior".

Episode II: The Attack of the Clones The film is set ten years after the Battle of Naboo, when the galaxy is on the brink of civil war and was released on May 16, 2002. Episode II was the first Star Wars film to be internationally out-grossed in the year of its original release. Spider-Man, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets all had higher receipts. As a disguise during filming, the film's "working title" was Jar Jar's Big Adventure, intended sarcastically in light of the negative fan response to the Episode I character. Jar Jar Binks, standing in for Senator Amidala, puts forth the motion that gives Palpatine supreme powers. This means that Jar Jar, the most hated character in the Star Wars canon, is indirectly responsible for the fall of the Old Republic and the near-annihilation of the Jedi order.

Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith The film takes place three years after the onset of the Clone Wars. The film was released in theatres on May 19, 2005 It is the first and only Star Wars film to be rated PG-13 namely for the scene in which Darth Vader is set aflame. Lucas makes an appearance at the Coruscant Opera House as a blue faced being named Baron Papanoida who can be seen outside Palpatine's box. It marks Lucas' only appearance in any of the Star Wars films. His three children also appear in cameos. EASTER EGG: On the Options menu, press "11 Enter 3 Enter 8 Enter" (1138). Yoda will dance to hip-hop music. The squadron of blue-striped clone troopers that Darth Vader leads into the Jedi Temple is called the 501st Legion, named after an organization of costume fans, also known as Vader's Fist.

The Clone Wars A CGI TV series that will debut on October 3rd on Cartoon Network as a follow-up to 2003’s animated series of the same name. The series was kicked off with a feature film released in theaters on August 15, 2008. The series takes place between Episodes II and III. The show features the voices of Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Seth Green.

Awards AFI’s 100 years – 100 movies ranks A New Hope as the 13th greatest American Movie. Darth Vader is ranked as the 3rd greatest villain on AFI’s 100 Heroes and Villains list, and Han Solo is the 14th greatest hero. Each of the original trilogy was nominated and won several Academy Awards. In contrast, Episode I received several Razzie, nominations. These included Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Supporting Actress, Worst Screen Couple (Jake Lloyd and Natalie Portman), and won the Worst Supporting Actor category with Jar Jar Binks actor Ahmed Best. Episode II also won Razzie’s for Worst Screenplay and Worst Supporting Actor (Hayden Christensen).

A Star Wars Timeline 100,000 BBY (years before Battle of Yavin) The Jedi and Sith are formed 9,990 BBY The Lightsaber is invented 3,956 The Knights of the Old Republic (video game) 32 BBY Episode I: The Phantom Menace 22 BBY Episode II: Attack of the Clones 21-19 BBY The Clone Wars 19 BBY Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 0 BBY/ABY (years after Battle of Yavin) Episode IV: A New Hope 3 ABY Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back 4 ABY Episode VI: Return of the Jedi 8 ABY Leia and Han Solo get married 11 ABY Luke establishes new Jedi Academy on Yavin 4

Faces Behind the characters James Earl Jones: voice of Darth Vader Frank Oz: Yoda Anthony Daniels: C-3PO Kenny Baker: R2-D3 David Prowse: Darth Vader Ahmed Best: Voice of Jar Jar Binks