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This post explores the answer to the common question- Was Star Wars a book or a movie first?
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Star Wars: A brief history
Star Wars is a franchise that began with a film released in 1977, which was later expanded with books, television shows, video games, and more. The original film, now known as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, was followed by two sequels – Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983). In between these films, George Lucas released a Star Wars prequel trilogy – Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). In addition to these films, there are numerous Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, graphic novels, television shows, video games, and more.
The novelization of Star Wars
The story of Star Wars began as a film script written by George Lucas in 1974. However, the first time the public saw any part of the Star Wars universe was in the form of a novel. The novelization of Star Wars was released on November 12, 1976, more than a year before the movie would hit theaters.
The novelization was written by science fiction author Alan Dean Foster, who had been approached by Lucas to write the book after the success of his novelization of Lucas’s film American Graffiti. Lucas had originally intended to write the Star Wars novel himself, but he decided that he did not have time to do justice to both the movie and the book.
Foster’s novel stays true to Lucas’s vision for the film, but expands on some of the characters and plot elements. For example, in the book we learn more about Obi-Wan Kenobi’s history with Darth Vader, and we are introduced to Jedi Master Yoda long before he appears on screen.
The novelization was a huge success, selling more than 4 million copies in its first year alone. It also helped build excitement for the movie, which would go on to become one of the most popular films of all time.
The release of the Star Wars movie
The release of the Star Wars movie was originally slated for Christmas of 1976. However, due to technical difficulties, the movie was not completed in time and was instead released on May 25, 1977. The novelization of the movie was written by Alan Dean Foster and published on November 12, 1976, almost six months before the movie was released.
The influence of Star Wars on pop culture
Since its release in 1977, the Star Wars franchise has had a huge impact on popular culture. It has inspired countless books, comics, TV shows, and movies. It has also spawned an incredibly popular line of toys, games, and merchandise. There is no question that Star Wars is one of the most influential franchises of all time.
The influence of Star Wars can be seen in many different aspects of popular culture. For example, the characters of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader have become iconic pop culture figures. The lightsaber duels in the films are some of the most memorable scenes in all of cinema. And the phrase “May the Force be with you” has become a part of the English language.
The impact of Star Wars extends far beyond just the films themselves. The franchise has spawned an expansive Expanded Universe that includes books, comics, TV shows, and movies. This Expanded Universe has been hugely popular with fans and has been a major part of the franchise’s success.
There is no doubt that Star Wars is one of the most influential franchises in history. Its impact can be seen in many different aspects of popular culture.
The legacy of Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera franchise, created by George Lucas. The first film in the franchise was originally released on May 25, 1977, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year intervals. Sixteen years after the release of the trilogy’s final film, the first in a new prequel trilogy of films was released. The three prequel films were also released at three-year intervals, with the final film of the trilogy released on May 19, 2005. This six-film series has been nominated for and won multiple awards over the years.
