- Alternate meaning: Strategic Defense
Initiative
Star Wars is the name of a science fantasy
movie and literary franchise, based on the ideas of writer/director George Lucas, which consists of numerous prequels, sequels, and literary adaptations. The movies revolve around the transition between the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire, as well as the Galactic Civil War which erupts between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire in an epic
struggle between good and evil. The story is
set "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." The phrase appears at the opening of every Star Wars novel, motion picture, and
video game.
Overview
The Star Wars story has been presented in a series of American movies, which
have spawned dozens of books. The Star Wars mythos is also the basis of many toys and games. Though the films and books
are set in outer space and employ common science fiction motifs, the
plots are humanistic in nature. Star Wars is an outstanding example of the
space opera sub-genre of science fiction.
It has been noted that it is almost impossible in the United States to
go for a full day without hearing some reference to Star Wars. This is a testament to the extraordinary popularity that
the Star Wars films have enjoyed. (Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek also has
enjoyed long-lasting popularity in American popular culture.)
However, whereas Star Trek takes a rational and progressive approach to storytelling, Star Wars has a strong
'mythic' quality to it.
The strong human appeal of the Star Wars story probably accounts for its enduring popularity; it has also been
postulated that this popularity is based on nostalgia. Many Star Wars fans first saw the films as children, and their
(for the time) revolutionary special effects and simple, Manichean story made
a profound impact.
The Star Wars films show considerable similarity to Asian Wuxia
"Kung Fu" films, as well as Roman mythology. Lucas has stated that his intention was to create in Star Wars a modern
mythology, based on the studies of his friend and mentor Joseph
Campbell. He has also called the first movie's incredible similarity to the film Hidden Fortress (Akira Kurosawa) an "homage."
A notable feature of the Star Wars films is that they portray a world full of grime and technology that looks like it
has been used for years, not the sleek, futuristic world typical of earlier science fiction films. In one of his many interviews on the making of Star Wars, Lucas told of
rubbing the new props with dirt to make them look weatherworn. It is tempting to speculate that this break from traditional
science fiction film influenced the cyberpunk genre that emerged around 1984.
The Star Wars franchise goes beyond the five already released films. Officially-licensed Star Wars novels
have been published since the original movie was released in 1977. Although these novels have been licensed by Lucas (meaning he
shares in the royalties), he has retained ultimate creative control over the Star Wars universe for himself. Thus, the novels are
not necessarily an official part of the Star Wars universe, although considerable ongoing effort is spent on the part of
LucasFilm Licensing to ensure continuity between different authors works. Occasionally, some elements from these novels have been
adopted into the regular Star Wars canon.
The original Star Wars (A New Hope) has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
In 1978 Lucas sued the creators of Battlestar Galactica for its alleged similarity to Star Wars.
Star Wars movies
Listed in order of story time:
- Star Wars Episode
I: The Phantom Menace (19 May 1999)
- Star Wars
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (16 May 2002)
- Star Wars Episode III (full title not yet
known) (scheduled release 19 May 2005)
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New
Hope (25 May 1977) original title was
Star Wars; the first Star Wars movie to be released
- Star
Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (21 May 1980)
- Star Wars
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (25 May 1983)
Episodes IV - VI were re-released in remastered forms, with additional special effects, changes in some scenes and computer
generated characters inserted. The changes met with mixed critical reaction, and a minor controversy remains over George Lucas'
refusal to re-release the original 70s and 80s versions on DVD. However, the remastered versions are to be released on September
21, 2004.
With the release of the prequels many minor elements of plot and character were changed from the first trilogy. Some of these
elements were changed in the rereleases to become more consistent; others were not.
The recurring leitmotif of the Star Wars Imperial March is one of the best known movie musical themes.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was filmed at Leavesden Film Studios in England.
See also: Revisionism in Star Wars
Star Wars books
The six Star Wars movies offer the basis for which dozens of books have been written. Many of the books have been officially
authorized by LucasFilm, and are often published by Bantam Books. The stories told by these books extend from a time long before
The Phantom Menace, to a time long after Return of the Jedi. Books authorized by Lucas are written by fans of
the films, and are part of a collection known as Expanded Universe.
The Expanded Universe has been making its way through a revolution as of late in the New Jedi Order (NJO) series, which recently was wrapped up in The Unifying Force. The NJO has told the story of the galaxy's horrific invasion by the
extragalactic Yuuzhan Vong, and has seen the passing of many heroes.
Many fans of the original Star Wars movies reject the literary works of the Expanded Universe, and insist only the films or
statements George Lucas has made interpreting his own works, can be
accepted as canonical.
Other books include such titles as The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide, which detail
things about the Star Wars universe, and the films, in a "non-fiction" style.
Star Wars comic books
Comic book adaptations have been created for each of the movies, and other comic
books and series of comics have been written detailing events not contained in the movies.
See also: Star Wars Comic Books
Star Wars characters
See also: List of Star Wars
characters for a more extensive listing
Anakin Skywalker | Boba Fett | C-3PO | Chewbacca | Darth Maul | Darth Sidious | Darth
Vader | Han Solo | Jabba the Hutt | Jango Fett | Jar Jar Binks | Lando Calrissian | Luke Skywalker |
Obi-Wan Kenobi | Padmé Amidala | Palpatine | Princess Leia | R2-D2 |
Yoda
Star Wars places
Alderaan | Bakura |
Bespin | Bilbringi |
Bothuwai | Cardia (Star Wars) | Corellia | Coruscant | Dagobah | Dantoonie | Endor | Genosis | Helsaka |
Hoth | Ithor | Kashyyyk | Mon Calamari | Naboo | Nal
Hutta | Ord Mantell |
Ossus | Taris | Tatooine | Yavin 4 |
Star Wars species and races
Abyssin | Adarian | Anx | Aqualish | Arcona | Barada | Bimm |
Bith | Bothan | Celegian | Chiss | Clawdite | Coway | Dashade| Defel | Droid |
Dug | Duros
| Elom | Ewok | Falleen | Fosh | Gamorrean| Geonosian | Givin | Gotal | Gran |
Gungan | H'nemthe | Humans, (Stormtroopers) | Hutt | Ishi Tib | Ithorian | Jawa | Kaminoan | Klatooinian | Mimbanite | Mon
Calamari | Myneyrsh | Neimoidian | Nikto | Noghri | Paonidd | Psadan | Quarren | Rodian | Saffa | Selonian | Snivvian |
Squib | Sullustan | Thennqora |
Toydarian | Tusken Raider | Twi'lek | Ugnaught | Vaathkree | Wampas | Weequay | Whiphid | Wookiee | Wraith | Yuuzhan Vong | Yuzzumi | Yvetha | Zabrak |
Star Wars organizations
Galactic Republic | Galactic Empire | Confederacy of Independent
Systems | Kuat Drive Yards | Jedi | Rebel Alliance | New Republic | New Republic Senate | Sienar Fleet Systems | Sith | Trade Federation | | Corellian Security Force | Peace Brigade | Black Sun | United Liberation Front | New Republic
Intelligence | Hapes
Consortium
Lists
See also
External links
References
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