Star Wars

A science-fiction franchise created by George Lucas, beginning with the 1977 film. Its stories center on conflict between the Jedi and Sith across a galaxy far, far away.

George Lucas: An American filmmaker who created Star Wars and directed its first film. Lucas conceived the franchise and established its initial story, characters, and visual style.
The Force: A metaphysical energy field in Star Wars that connects living things and can be used by those who are sensitive to it. The Force explains the supernatural abilities and spiritual choices at the center of many stories.
Star Wars prequel trilogy: Three films released from 1999 to 2005 depicting events before the original Star Wars trilogy. The prequels trace Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader.
Blockbuster: A commercially successful film made for a broad audience, often supported by large-scale production and promotion. Star Wars helped establish the modern blockbuster as a durable studio strategy.
Star Trek: A science-fiction franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, beginning with a 1966 television series. Its exploratory, often optimistic science fiction contrasts with Star Wars’s mythic space adventure.
Star Wars (1977 film): The 1977 space-opera film that launched the Star Wars franchise. This original release introduced the fictional universe and became the franchise’s first major success.
Jedi: A fictional order of guardians who study the Force and wield lightsabers. Jedi characters anchor the franchise’s ideals of discipline, service, and resistance to tyranny.
Star Wars sequel trilogy: Three films released from 2015 to 2019 continuing the saga after the original trilogy. The sequels revisit the galaxy’s conflict with a new generation of characters.
Industrial Light & Magic: A visual-effects company founded by George Lucas in 1975. The company developed techniques and tools that shaped later film effects work.
Dune: A science-fiction saga created by Frank Herbert, beginning with his 1965 novel. Dune predates Star Wars and offers a more political, ecological vision of galactic empire.

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