We all agree that George Lucas created an entertainment dynasty 45 years ago today with the release of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.
Star Wars is the most important film in the sci-fi genre for many reasons, not the least of which is its impact on the imagination of countless artists, writers, musicians, sculptors, composers, and filmmakers. The original 1977 movie and its spinoffs have entertained millions with their tales from a far, far away universe. You can find our picks for the best Star Wars deals, Star Wars books and the best Star Wars Lego sets now.
To keep the party going, thousands of Star Wars fans will gather at the Anaheim Convention Center this week for Star Wars Celebration 2022, where the Disney-owned franchise will no doubt reveal future plans and exciting surprises for the franchise.
Check out our guide to watching the Star Wars movies in order and the complete list of the Star Wars movies, ranked best to worst.
The premiere of "Star Wars" took place at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood on May 25, 1977.
This $11 million gamble produced by 20th Century Fox after being turned down all over town went on to become the year's biggest box office champion, eventually collecting over $775 million worldwide to date.
The Hidden Fortress and flash Gordon were both inspired by classic Japanese samurai films.
There are 40 facts from a galaxy far, far away.
It opened in just 32 theaters but was quickly expanded to 43 over the weekend as fans camped out for a chance to see the movie. By the peak of the Star Wars mania in the summer of 1977, the movie was playing in 1,098 theaters across America, with the longest-running engagement being 76 weeks at the Westgate Theater in Portland, Oregon.
After the success of American Graffiti in 1973, Lucas was a hot commodity in Hollywood. He pitched The Star Wars to Universal Studios and United Artists, but they declined. The movie was greenlit by a visionary executive at 20th Century Fox.
A series of 21 drawings Lucas commissioned from McQuarrie helped to sell the film.
At the 1978 Academy Awards, Star Wars won six Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, BestVisual Effects and Best Original Score.
USC graduate Ben Burtt was given a Special Achievement Academy Award for his work on Star Wars.
A blend of bear, lion, walrus, and badger vocalizations is what Chewbacca growls. The voice of R2-D2 was created using synthesizer loops that were fused with a number of sounds. Darth Vader had a microphone inside a scuba tank regulator. The screeching sound of an Imperial TIE Fighter engine was created by combining an elephant's bellow and a car on a rainy pavement.
The movie plot twists of all time are related.
After all the hype and hysteria of the original Star Wars, and its merchandising empire of toys, playsets, trading cards, records, t-shirts, comics and action figures, interest in the franchise remains at all-time highs.
This Friday, Disney Plus will release a six-episode miniseries called Obi-Wan Kenobi, which tells the story of the Jedi Master's exile on Tatooine.
On the occasion of its 45th anniversary, raise a toast to the OG Star Wars movie and remember the outer space sensation that started it all back in 1977.
Here are some upcoming Star Wars TV shows, the best Star Wars games to jump into the universe and the best lightsaber fights of all time.
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