Was Star Wars a Book or Movie First?

Star Wars is a franchise that has been beloved by fans for over four decades. It’s a sci-fi epic that has captured the imaginations of people all over the world.

But what was Star Wars first – a book or a movie? Let’s delve into the history of this iconic franchise.

The Movie That Started It All

It may come as a surprise to some, but the first Star Wars installment was not a book. In fact, it wasn’t even called “Star Wars” when it was first released in 1977. The movie was originally titled “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope,” and it was directed by George Lucas.

The movie introduced us to some of the most iconic characters in cinematic history, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader. The film was a huge success and became an instant classic.

The Birth of Star Wars Books

After the success of the first film, there was naturally a demand for more Star Wars content. This led to the creation of numerous books that expanded on the universe and characters created in the movies.

The first Star Wars book was actually released before the movie came out. It was called “Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker,” and it was ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster based on George Lucas’s screenplay for the film.

The Expanded Universe

As time went on, more and more Star Wars books were released that expanded on the universe created in the movies. These books included novels, comics, and even reference guides that provided more information about characters and locations seen in the films.

This collection of stories outside of the movies is known as the Expanded Universe (EU). The EU included stories that took place before or after events seen in the movies, as well as stories about entirely new characters set within the Star Wars universe.

Disney’s Acquisition and the Canon

In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the production company behind Star Wars. With this acquisition came a decision to restructure the franchise’s canon, essentially resetting the Expanded Universe.

The new canon includes all of the movies, TV shows, books, and comics that are considered to be official Star Wars stories. This means that some previously published books are no longer considered part of the official continuity.

Conclusion

So, was Star Wars a book or a movie first? The answer is clear – it was a movie first. However, the success of the original film led to an expansion of the franchise through various books and other media.

Whether you prefer to experience Star Wars through movies or books, one thing is certain – it’s a franchise that has stood the test of time and will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.