Editing Star Wars (section)

=== The Skywalker Saga ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; margin=auto; width:100%;"
! style="width:14%" | Film
! U.S. release date
! Directed by
! Screenplay by
! Story by
! Produced by
! {{nowrap|{{Abbr|Refs.|References}}}}
|-
! colspan="8" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | [[Star Wars original trilogy|Original trilogy]]: Episodes IV–VI
<section begin=OriginalTrilogy />
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars (film)|A New Hope]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|1977|5|25}}
| colspan="3" | [[George Lucas]]
| rowspan="2 | [[Gary Kurtz]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/990219/the-11-million-spent-on-star-wars-in-1977-was-the-best-film-investment-ever-made/|title=The $11 million spent on "Star Wars" in 1977 was the best film investment ever made|date=May 25, 2017|first=Mike|last=Murphy|website=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606012907/https://qz.com/990219/the-11-million-spent-on-star-wars-in-1977-was-the-best-film-investment-ever-made/|archive-date=June 6, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/26/gary-kurtz-obituary|title=Gary Kurtz obituary|date=September 26, 2018|first=Ryan|last=Gilbey|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606104506/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/sep/26/gary-kurtz-obituary|archive-date=June 6, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|1980|05|21}}
| [[Irvin Kershner]]
| [[Leigh Brackett]] <br>and [[Lawrence Kasdan]]
| rowspan=2| George Lucas
| <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/11/29/empire-strikes-back-director-irvin-kershner-an-appreciation/|title='Empire Strikes Back' director Irvin Kershner: An appreciation|date=November 29, 2010|first=Chris|last=Nashawaty|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224102755/https://ew.com/article/2010/11/29/empire-strikes-back-director-irvin-kershner-an-appreciation/|archive-date=December 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/7-little-known-facts-about-the-making-of-star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back|title=EMPIRE at 40 {{!}} 7 Little-Known Facts About the Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back|date=May 12, 2020|first=James|last=Floyd|website=starwars.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608093607/https://www.starwars.com/news/7-little-known-facts-about-the-making-of-star-wars-the-empire-strikes-back|archive-date=June 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|1983|05|25}}
| [[Richard Marquand]]
| Lawrence Kasdan <br>and George Lucas
| [[Howard Kazanjian]]
| <ref name="Directors and Release Dates">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/celebrating-the-star-wars-franchise-impact-as-the-empire-strikes-back-turns-40/|title=Celebrating the Star Wars Franchise's Box Office Impact as The Empire Strikes Back Turns 40|date=May 21, 2020|first=Shawn|last=Robbins|website=[[Boxoffice Pro]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728082332/https://www.boxofficepro.com/celebrating-the-star-wars-franchise-impact-as-the-empire-strikes-back-turns-40/|archive-date=July 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/denis-villeneuve-david-lynch-dune-comparison/|title=A side-by-side comparison of Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune' trailer to the David Lynch effort|date=September 18, 2020|first=Lee|last=Thomas-Mason|website=Far Out Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015124129/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/denis-villeneuve-david-lynch-dune-comparison/|archive-date=October 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><section end="OriginalTrilogy" />
|-
! colspan="8" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|Prequel trilogy]]: Episodes I–III
<section begin=PrequelTrilogy />
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|1999|05|19}}
| colspan="3" | [[George Lucas]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Rick McCallum]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/5/19/18629867/star-wars-prequels-episode-1-phantom-menace-anniversary-good|title=The Star Wars prequels are bad — and insightful about American politics|date=May 19, 2019|first=Emily|last=VanDerWerff|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010223351/https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/5/19/18629867/star-wars-prequels-episode-1-phantom-menace-anniversary-good|archive-date=October 10, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|2002|05|16}}
|George Lucas
| George Lucas <br>and [[Jonathan Hales]]
|George Lucas
| <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/20/star-wars-attack-of-the-clones-rewatch/|title=Star Wars rewatch: Why is Attack of the Clones so heartless?|date=November 20, 2019|first=Darren|last=Franich|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121135801/https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/20/star-wars-attack-of-the-clones-rewatch/|archive-date=November 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-episode-II-attack-of-the-clones-anniversary-18-years-ago-today/|title=Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Opened 18 Years Ago Today|date=May 16, 2020|first=Cameron|last=Bonomolo|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601023233/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-episode-II-attack-of-the-clones-anniversary-18-years-ago-today/|archive-date=June 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|2005|05|19}}
| colspan="3" |George Lucas
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/revenge-sith-novel-best-star-wars-story/|title=Revenge of the Sith Is The Best Star Wars Story Ever Told (Just Not Lucas' Version)|date=May 19, 2020|first=Alex|last=Leadbeater|website=[[Screen Rant]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529140205/https://screenrant.com/revenge-sith-novel-best-star-wars-story/|archive-date=May 29, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/how-revenge-sith-almost-broke-star-wars-1295016|title=How 'Revenge of the Sith' Almost Broke 'Star Wars'|date=May 19, 2020|first=Phil|last=Pirrello|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601130916/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/how-revenge-sith-almost-broke-star-wars-1295016|archive-date=June 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><section end="PrequelTrilogy" />
|-
! colspan="8" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|Sequel trilogy]]: Episodes VII–IX
<section begin=SequelTrilogy />
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens|The Force Awakens]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|2015|12|18}}
| [[J. J. Abrams]]
| colspan="2" | Lawrence Kasdan & J. J. Abrams <br>and [[Michael Arndt]]
| [[Kathleen Kennedy (producer)|Kathleen Kennedy]], J.J. Abrams and [[Bryan Burk]]
| <ref name="Directors and Release Dates" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/18/star-wars-force-awakens-prequels/|title='Star Wars': What 'The Force Awakens' gets right that the prequels got wrong|date=December 18, 2015|first=Kevin P.|last=Sullivan|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622164634/https://ew.com/article/2015/12/18/star-wars-force-awakens-prequels/|archive-date=June 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi|The Last Jedi]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|2017|12|15}}
| colspan="3" | [[Rian Johnson]]
| Kathleen Kennedy and [[Ram Bergman]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/star-wars-the-last-jedi-name-episode-viii-1201892311/|title='Star Wars: Episode VIII' Gets A Title|date=January 23, 2017|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707030311/https://deadline.com/2017/01/star-wars-the-last-jedi-name-episode-viii-1201892311/|archive-date=July 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/12/15/570590142/star-wars-action-figures-paved-the-way-for-the-last-jedi-director|title=For 'Last Jedi' Director, The Journey To 'Star Wars' Began With Action Figures|date=December 15, 2017|author=Mandalit Del Barco|website=[[NPR]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911164451/https://www.npr.org/2017/12/15/570590142/star-wars-action-figures-paved-the-way-for-the-last-jedi-director|archive-date=September 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|The Rise of Skywalker]]''
| style="text-align:left"| {{Start date|2019|12|20}}
| J. J. Abrams
| [[Chris Terrio]] & J. J. Abrams
| [[Derek Connolly]] & [[Colin Trevorrow]] <br> and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio
| Kathleen Kennedy, J. J. Abrams and [[Michelle Rejwan]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-j-j-abrams-daisy-ridley-john-boyega-billy-dee-williams/|title='Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Review: Director J.J. Abrams Throws Everything Against The Wall And Most Of It Sticks|date=December 18, 2019|first=Pete|last=Hammond|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408201430/https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-j-j-abrams-daisy-ridley-john-boyega-billy-dee-williams/|archive-date=April 8, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/who-wrote-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/|title=Exclusive: 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Final Writing Credits Revealed|date=November 15, 2019|first=Gregory|last=Lawrence|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909023348/https://collider.com/who-wrote-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/|archive-date=September 9, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><section end="SequelTrilogy" />
|-
|}

[[File:Star Wars characters at Madame Tussaud.jpg|thumb|A [[wax figure]] tribute to [[Darth Vader]] (left), [[Emperor Palpatine]] (center), and [[Luke Skywalker]] (right) at [[Madame Tussauds]] in [[London]].]]

The ''Star Wars'' film series centers around three sets of trilogies, the nine films of which are collectively referred to as the "[[Skywalker Saga]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-original-title-last-jedi/|title=A Brief History of Star Wars Titles|last=Leadbeater|first=Alex|date=January 24, 2017|website=[[Screen Rant]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206205905/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-original-title-last-jedi/|archive-date=February 6, 2019|quote=... how the Star Wars saga is currently evolving ... Lucasfilm fluctuated between Star Wars Anthology and A Star Wars Story, before settling on the latter. ... Episode VIII becoming The Last Jedi continues this trend, ... the announcement calls it "the next chapter in the Skywalker saga," solidifying "Skywalker Saga" as the official banner for the numbered episodes.}}</ref> The saga was produced non-chronologically, beginning ''[[in medias res]]'' with the release of the original trilogy between 1977 and 1983. This was followed by the prequel trilogy, released between 1999 and 2005, and the sequel trilogy, released between 2015 and 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-movies-in-order-how-to-watch/ |title=How to watch the Star Wars movies in order |website=The Wrap |date=November 2, 2023 |accessdate=November 5, 2023 |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105130532/https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-movies-in-order-how-to-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Each trilogy focuses on a generation of the [[The Force|Force]]-sensitive [[Skywalker family]] and their struggle against the evil [[Sith]] lord [[Palpatine]] (Darth Sidious).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/emperor-palpatine-darth-sidious |title=Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious |website=StarWars.com |accessdate=November 5, 2023 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231042/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/palpatine/?id=bts |url-status=live }}</ref> The original trilogy depicts the heroic development of [[Luke Skywalker]] as a [[Jedi]] and his fight against Palpatine's [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] alongside his sister, [[Princess Leia|Leia]].<!-- Do not remove because you believe this to be a spoiler, as per [[Wikipedia:Spoiler]]. --><ref>{{Cite video|title= [[Return of the Jedi]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|date=1983 |medium=Blu-ray}}</ref> The prequels tell the [[tragic]] backstory of their father, [[Anakin Skywalker|Anakin]], who is seduced to the dark side by Palpatine and becomes [[Darth Vader]].<!-- Do not remove because you believe this to be a spoiler, as per [[Wikipedia:Spoiler]]. --><ref>{{Cite video|title = [[Revenge of the Sith]]|publisher=[[20th Century Fox]]|date=2005|medium=Blu-ray}}</ref> The sequels follow the conflict between Leia's son, [[Kylo Ren|Ben Solo]], and Luke and Leia's protegé, [[Rey (Star Wars)|Rey]], and their eventual alliance against Palpatine after the fall of the Empire.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/skywalker-a-family-at-war-announce |title=Skywalker: A Family at War, a New Star Wars Biography, Revealed |website=StarWars.com |date=January 21, 2021 |accessdate=October 22, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110103632/https://www.starwars.com/news/skywalker-a-family-at-war-announce |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Original trilogy ====
{{Main|Star Wars original trilogy}}

{{multiple image
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| image1 = Mark_Hamill_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg
| image2 = Harrison Ford by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
| image3 = Carrie Fisher 2013 cropped retouched.jpg
| image4 = David_Prowse_2013_(cropped).jpg
| footer = The original trilogy's main cast includes (from left to right) [[Mark Hamill]] (Luke Skywalker), [[Harrison Ford]] ([[Han Solo]]), [[Carrie Fisher]] ([[Princess Leia]]), and [[David Prowse]] ([[Darth Vader]]).
| direction =
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In 1971, [[George Lucas]] wanted to film an adaptation of the [[Flash Gordon (serial)|''Flash Gordon'' serial]], but could not obtain the rights, so he began developing his own [[space opera]].<ref name=Behind>{{cite web|title=The Cinema Behind Star Wars: John Carter|website=StarWars.com|last=Young|first=Bryan|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-john-carter|date=December 21, 2015|access-date=September 17, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142622/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-john-carter|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{efn|Lucas started by researching the inspiration behind [[Alex Raymond]]'s ''[[Flash Gordon]]'' comic, leading him to the works of author [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]]—the ''[[John Carter of Mars]]'' series in particular.<ref name=Behind />}} After directing ''[[American Graffiti]]'' (1973), he wrote a two-page synopsis, which [[20th Century Fox]] decided to invest in.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Vallely|first=Jean|date=June 12, 1980|title=The Empire Strikes Back and So Does Filmmaker George Lucas With His Sequel to Star Wars|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=Wenner Media LLC}}</ref>{{Sfn|Rinzler|2007|p=8}} By 1974, he had expanded the story into the first draft of a screenplay.<ref name=starkiller>{{cite web|access-date=March 27, 2008|url=http://starwarz.com/starkiller/scripts.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628065925/http://www.starwarz.com/starkiller/scripts.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2006|title=Starkiller |publisher=Jedi Bendu}}</ref> Fox expected the film would be of limited financial success, and so it was given a relatively low budget, with production being moved to [[Elstree Studios]] in England to help save on cost.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whynow.co.uk/read/uk-shaped-star-wars | title=How Has the UK Shaped Star Wars? | date=May 4, 2022 | access-date=November 4, 2022 | archive-date=November 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104192802/https://whynow.co.uk/read/uk-shaped-star-wars | url-status=live }}</ref>

''Star Wars'' was released on May 25, 1977, and first subtitled ''Episode IV: A New Hope'' in the 1979 book ''[[The Art of Star Wars]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=pablohidalgo|last=Hidalgo|first=Pablo|number=1096499575131594752|title=(And just to preemptively 'well, actually' myself, 'Episode IV: A New Hope' was made public by publishing it in the screenplay in 1979's Art of Star Wars book. But it wasn't added to the crawl until 1981)|date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> The film's success led Lucas to make it the basis of an elaborate [[film serial]].{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=142}} With the backstory he created for the sequel, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies.<ref name=PrevueLucas>Steranko, "George Lucas", ''Prevue'' #42, September–October 1980.</ref> ''Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'' was released on May 21, 1980, also achieving wide financial and critical success. The final film in the trilogy, ''Episode VI: Return of the Jedi'', was released on May 25, 1983.

==== Prequel trilogy ====
{{Main|Star Wars prequel trilogy}}
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| image1 = Ewan McGregor 2012.jpg
| image2 = NataliePortman09TIFF.jpg
| image3 = Hayden-cfda2010-0004(1) (cropped).jpg
| image4 = Ian McDiarmid Brussels Comic Con 2020.jpg
| footer = The prequel trilogy's main cast includes (from left to right) [[Ewan McGregor]] ([[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]), [[Natalie Portman]] ([[Padmé Amidala]]), [[Hayden Christensen]] ([[Anakin Skywalker]]),{{Efn|Played by [[Jake Lloyd]] as a child in ''Episode I''}} and [[Ian McDiarmid]] ([[Palpatine]]).
| direction =
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According to producer Gary Kurtz, loose plans for a prequel trilogy were developed during the outlining of the original two films.<ref name=kurtz>{{cite web|url=http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/gary_kurtz_reveals_original_plans_for_episodes_19_80270.asp|title=Gary Kurtz Reveals Original Plans for Episodes 1–9|website=TheForce.net|date=May 26, 1999|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929191817/http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/gary_kurtz_reveals_original_plans_for_episodes_19_80270.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, Lucas confirmed that he had the nine-film series plotted,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/specialreports/banthatracks/archives/banthatracks08.pdf|magazine=Bantha Tracks|title=Interview: George Lucas|issue=8|year=1980|last=Lucas|first=George|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=June 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623142537/http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/specialreports/banthatracks/archives/banthatracks08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> but due to the stress of producing the original trilogy, he had decided to cancel further sequels by 1981.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=494}} In 1983, Lucas explained that "There was never a script completed that had the entire story as it exists now ... As the stories unfolded, I would take certain ideas and save them ... I kept taking out all the good parts, and I just kept telling myself I would make other movies someday."<ref>Worrell, Denise. ''Icons: Intimate Portraits''. p. 185.</ref>

Technical advances in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the ability to create [[computer-generated imagery]] (CGI), inspired Lucas to consider that it might be possible to revisit his saga. In 1989, Lucas stated that the prequels would be "unbelievably expensive".{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=303}} In 1992, he acknowledged that he had plans to create the prequel trilogy.{{Sfn|Kaminski|2008|p=312}} A theatrical rerelease of the original trilogy in 1997 "[[Changes in Star Wars re-releases|updated]]" the 20-year-old films with the style of CGI envisioned for the new trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/02/01/20-years-ago-star-wars-special-edition-made-star-wars-special-again/?sh=5f03da032a61 |title=20 Years Ago, 'Star Wars: Special Edition' Made 'Star Wars' Special Again |website=Forbes |date=February 1, 2017 |accessdate=November 5, 2023 |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105145232/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/02/01/20-years-ago-star-wars-special-edition-made-star-wars-special-again/?sh=5f03da032a61 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Episode I: The Phantom Menace'' was released on May 19, 1999, ''Episode II: Attack of the Clones'' on May 16, 2002, and ''Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'' on May 19, 2005.<ref name="release dates">{{cite web|access-date=March 27, 2008|url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/news20040405.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415144223/http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/news20040405.html|archive-date=April 15, 2008|title=Episode III Release Dates Announced|website=StarWars.com|date=April 5, 2004}}</ref> The first two films were met with mixed reviews, with the third being received more positively. Together with the original trilogy, Lucas has referred to the first six episodic films of the franchise as "the tragedy of Darth Vader".<ref>{{cite web|first=Gregory|last=Wakeman|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Was-Terrible-Predicting-Future-Star-Wars-68506.html|title=George Lucas Was Terrible At Predicting The Future Of Star Wars|date=December 4, 2014|website=[[CinemaBlend]]|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=January 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114031020/https://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Was-Terrible-Predicting-Future-Star-Wars-68506.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Sequel trilogy ====
{{Main|Star Wars sequel trilogy}}
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| image1 = Star Wars- The Last Jedi Japan Premiere Red Carpet- Adam Driver (27163437599) (cropped).jpg
| image2 = Daisy_Ridley_2018_(cropped).jpg
| image3 = John Boyega by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image4 = Oscar Isaac by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| footer = The sequel trilogy's main cast includes (from left to right) [[Adam Driver]] ([[Kylo Ren]]), [[Daisy Ridley]] ([[Rey (Star Wars)|Rey]]), [[John Boyega]] ([[Finn (Star Wars)|Finn]]), and [[Oscar Isaac]] ([[Poe Dameron]]).
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Prior to releasing the original 1977 film, and made possible by its success, Lucas planned "three trilogies of nine films".<ref name=PrevueLucas /><ref name=hamill>{{cite news|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEDgFKFJPSFEID|title=Mark Hamill talks ''Star Wars'' 7, 8 and 9!|date=September 10, 2004|work=[[MovieWeb]]|access-date=October 18, 2008|archive-date=December 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206053803/http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEDgFKFJPSFEID|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he announced to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' in 1978 that he planned "10 sequels".<ref name=TimeMar78>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915986,00.html|title=George Lucas' Galactic Empire|date=March 6, 1978|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]|access-date=September 15, 2012|archive-date=November 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103235925/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C915986%2C00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He confirmed that he had outlined the prequels and sequels in 1981.<ref name=Starlog50>[[Kerry O'Quinn]]. "The George Lucas Saga Chapter 3: 'The Revenge of the Box Office{{'"}}. ''Starlog'' #50, September 1981.</ref> At various stages of development, the sequel trilogy was to focus on the rebuilding of the [[New Republic (Star Wars)|Republic]],<ref>Gerald Clarke. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924122,00.html "The Empire Strikes Back!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825234833/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924122,00.html |date=August 25, 2013 }}. ''Time'', May 19, 1980. Retrieved September 26, 2012.</ref> the return of Luke as a Jedi Master (a role similar to that of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy),<ref name=hamill /> Luke's sister (not yet determined to be Leia),<ref name=kurtz /> Han, Leia,<ref name=Starlog237>{{cite magazine|first=Bill|last=Warren|title=Maker of Myths|magazine=Starlog|issue=#237, April 1997}}</ref> [[R2-D2]] and [[C-3PO]].<ref name=PrevueLucas /><ref>[[Kerry O'Quinn]]. "The George Lucas Saga Chapter 1: 'A New View{{'"}}, ''Starlog'' #48, July 1981.</ref> However, after beginning work on the prequel trilogy, Lucas insisted that ''Star Wars'' was meant to be a six-part series and that there would be no sequel trilogy.<ref>{{cite book|title=Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back|last=Lucas|first=George|year=1997|publisher=[[Del Rey Books|Del Rey]]|page=i}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.killermovies.com/s/starwarsepisodeiii/articles/4415.html|title=George Lucas talks on ''Star Wars'' sequels 7, 8 & 9|date=September 13, 2004|publisher=Killer Movies|access-date=October 18, 2008|archive-date=October 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011055915/http://www.killermovies.com/s/starwarsepisodeiii/articles/4415.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucas decided to leave the franchise in the hands of other filmmakers, announcing in January 2012 that he would make no more ''Star Wars'' films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/george-lucas-done-with-star-wars-red-tails_n_1210951.html|title=George Lucas Done With 'Star Wars' Fanboys, Talks 'Red Tails'|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=January 17, 2012|access-date=January 17, 2012|archive-date=January 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118124616/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/george-lucas-done-with-star-wars-red-tails_n_1210951.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That October, [[the Walt Disney Company]] agreed to buy Lucasfilm and announced that ''Episode VII'' would be released in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/disney-star-wars-films-buy-210830937.html|title=Disney to make new 'Star Wars' films, buy Lucas co|last=Nakashima|first=Ryan|website=[[Yahoo!]]|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030233227/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/disney-star-wars-films-buy-210830937.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The co-chairman of Lucasfilm, [[Kathleen Kennedy (producer)|Kathleen Kennedy]], became president and served as executive producer of new ''Star Wars'' feature films.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-buy-lucasfilm-405-billion-384448| title= Disney to Buy Lucasfilm for Billion; New 'Star Wars' Movie Set for 2015| last= Block| first= Alex| website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]| date= October 30, 2012| access-date= October 31, 2012| archive-date= November 1, 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121101002139/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-buy-lucasfilm-405-billion-384448| url-status= live}}</ref> Lucas provided Kennedy his story treatments for the sequels during the 2012 sale,<ref>{{cite web |title=George Lucas & Kathleen Kennedy Discuss Disney and the Future of Star Wars |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyqlTi7lkhY |website=YouTube.com |publisher=Lucasfilm |access-date=March 28, 2019 |date=October 30, 2012 |quote="I have story treatments of VII, VIII, and IX&nbsp;... and I have complete confidence that [Kathy]'s going to take them and make great movies." |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413083953/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyqlTi7lkhY |url-status=live }}</ref> but in 2015 it was revealed Lucas's sequel outline had been discarded.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Breznican |first1=Anthony |title=George Lucas on 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens': 'They weren't keen to have me involved' |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/11/20/george-lucas-star-wars-force-awakens-breakup/ |access-date=March 28, 2019 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 20, 2015 |quote=[T]hey looked at the stories and they said, 'We want to make something for the fans'&nbsp;... So I said, 'All I want to do is tell a story of what happened'. |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231251/https://ew.com/article/2015/11/20/george-lucas-star-wars-force-awakens-breakup/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sciretta |first1=Peter |title=Interview: J.J. Abrams Talks About Abandoning George Lucas' Treatments and Lessons of the Star Wars Prequels |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/jj-abrams-interview-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |access-date=March 28, 2019 |publisher=Slashfilm |quote=I came on board, and Disney had already decided they didn't want to go that direction. So the mandate was to start from scratch. |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231105/https://www.slashfilm.com/jj-abrams-interview-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The sequel trilogy also meant the end of the [[Star Wars in other media|''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe]] stories, which were discarded from [[Canon (fiction)|canon]] to give "maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and discovery for the audience."<ref name="SW Legends" />

''Episode VII: The Force Awakens'' was released on December 16, 2015, ''Episode VIII: The Last Jedi'' on December 13, 2017, and ''Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker'' on December 18, 2019, in many countries.{{efn|Each film was released two days later in the U.S.}} ''The Force Awakens'' and ''The Last Jedi'' were both critical and box office successes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://qz.com/575399/star-wars-the-force-awakens-reviews-are-in-and-theyre-overwhelmingly-positive/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' reviews are in, and they're overwhelmingly positive |last=Epstein |first=Adam |work=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226172951/http://qz.com/575399/star-wars-the-force-awakens-reviews-are-in-and-theyre-overwhelmingly-positive/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/12/star-wars-the-last-jedi-rotten-tomatoes-metacritic-imdb-users-cinemascore-posttrak-1202228837/ |title=Did Audiences Enjoy 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'? Deciphering Online User Reviews From Exit Polls |author=D'Alessandro, Anthony |date=December 17, 2017 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=December 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223234045/https://deadline.com/2017/12/star-wars-the-last-jedi-rotten-tomatoes-metacritic-imdb-users-cinemascore-posttrak-1202228837/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Episode IX'' received a mixed reception from critics and audiences.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/jj-abrams-reacts-last-jedi-rise-of-skywalker |title=J.J. Abrams on The Rise of Skywalker Critics and Defenders: "They're All Right" |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=December 21, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |first=Anthony |last=Breznican |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223205624/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/jj-abrams-reacts-last-jedi-rise-of-skywalker |url-status=live }}</ref>