If you are a fan of the Star Wars franchise, you must be curious about the first movie in the series. The first Star Wars movie was released in 1977 and is now known as Episode IV: A New Hope. However, when it was first released, it was simply called Star Wars.
The Beginning of a Classic Franchise
Star Wars is an American space opera franchise that has captured the hearts of millions around the world. It all began with George Lucas’s vision of an epic space adventure that would take audiences to a galaxy far, far away.
The first film in the series introduced us to iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader. It also gave us some unforgettable moments like the opening crawl, lightsaber battles, and the breathtaking dogfight between X-wings and TIE fighters.
The Name Controversy
When George Lucas was making Star Wars, he had no idea how big it would become. In fact, he had trouble finding a studio that would finance his ambitious project. However, when 20th Century Fox agreed to back him up, he faced another challenge – finding a suitable name for his movie.
Lucas originally wanted to call his film “The Adventures of Luke Skywalker”, but he later changed his mind. He considered several other options like “The Star Wars”, “Adventures of the Starkiller”, and “Journal of Whills”. Eventually, he settled for “Star Wars” because it sounded simple and catchy.
However, when the movie was re-released in 1981 after its sequel The Empire Strikes Back had come out – George Lucas decided to add “Episode IV: A New Hope” to its title. This was because he had planned to make a series of nine films but ended up making only six. By giving Episode IV to Star Wars’ title retroactively – Lucas made it clear that Star Wars was just the beginning of a much larger story.
- The Legacy of Star Wars
Since its release in 1977, Star Wars has become a cultural phenomenon that has influenced and inspired generations of fans. It has spawned eight more movies, numerous TV shows, books, games, and merchandise.
Star Wars is not just a franchise – it’s a way of life for many people around the world. Its themes of good vs evil, hope vs despair, and the power of love and friendship have resonated with audiences everywhere.
The Bottom Line
The first Star Wars movie was simply called “Star Wars” when it was released in 1977. However, when it was re-released in 1981 after its sequel had come out – George Lucas added “Episode IV: A New Hope” to its title to signify that it was just the beginning of a larger story. Today, Star Wars is one of the most beloved franchises in pop culture history with a legacy that spans over four decades.
