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[[Image:462px-Star wars dvd cover.jpg|right|thumb|Cover of the 2004 [[DVD]] widescreen release of Star Wars Trilogy.]]

[[Image:462px-Star wars dvd cover.jpg|right|thumb|Cover of the 2004 [[DVD]] widescreen release of Star Wars Trilogy.]]

:''Note: This article deals with the science fiction saga, not the American [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI).''

:''Note: This article deals with the science fiction saga, not the American [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI).''

''For the original'' '''Star Wars''' ''film, see'' [[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]].

''For the original'' '''Star Wars''' ''film, see'' [[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]].

'''''Star Wars''''' is a [[science fiction]] film saga and fictional universe created by American director [[George Lucas]].  The original ''Star Wars'' movie (Episode IV) came out on May 25, 1977.  The earlier set of ''Star Wars'' movies (''Episodes IV, V'' and ''VI'') are renowned as classics of cinema, and were some of the first "summer blockbusters" ever made.  ''Episodes I, II'' and ''III'' were released in 1999, 2002 and 2005 respectively. All six movies are among the top 50 highest-grossing films of all time.<ref>http://imdb.com/boxoffice/alltimegross</ref>

'''''Star Wars''''' is a [[science fiction]] film saga and fictional universe created by American director [[George Lucas]].  The original ''Star Wars'' movie (Episode IV) came out on May 25, 1977.  The earlier set of ''Star Wars'' movies (''Episodes IV, V'' and ''VI'') are renowned as classics of cinema and were some of the first "summer blockbusters" ever made.  ''Episodes I'', ''II'' and ''III'' were released in 1999, 2002, and 2005 respectively. All six movies are among the top 50 highest-grossing films of all time.<ref>http://imdb.com/boxoffice/alltimegross</ref>

During the time of the Prequel trilogy, Lucas's liberal politics came to the forefront, with there being a more overt left-leaning agenda in the films, including a negative depiction of creating a military, a negative depiction of capitalism in ''Episode I'' and ''II'' via the main antagonistic groups of the Trade Federation and the Separatists, respectively (the former showing the Trade Federation literally owning a seat in the Senate, and the latter having the inner circle of the Separatists being composed of various corporations such as the aforementioned Trade Federation as well as the Techno Guild, Intergalactic Banking Clan, and the Corporate Alliance), some demonization of Republicans in the form of the main antagonist Nute Gunray (who was explicitly named after both [[Ronald Reagan]] in reference to his role in SDI as well as then-Senate Majority Leader [[Newt Gingrich]]), the minor character and "senator" of the Trade Federation Lott Dod (referring to Trent Lott, then-current House Majority Leader of the Republican Party), and to a lesser extent the entire Republican party (as the first film, and the decision to make the Trade Federation the main villains was derived largely from the [[Republican Revolution (1994)|Republican Revolution of 1994]] as well as Gingrich's [[Contract with America]] plan, all of which had occurred within eight days of Lucas draft-writing ''Episode I''), as well as some [[George W. Bush]] jabs in the third movie (as well as at least one implied instance of promoting postmodernism via the line "Only a Sith deals in absolutes."). In addition, the prequel movies had implicitly condemned elements of the family unit, as part of the Jedi code denounced having any attachments, with parental attachments being included, as well as George Lucas implying that Vader turning to the Dark Side was ultimately rooted in a desire to protect his family, which he labeled as "greedy". While box office successes, the Prequel Trilogy had controversial reception, with complaints including the creation of Jar-Jar Binks as well as the more overt pushing of politics in the films (particularly pushing a more left-wing view of politics).

During the time of the Prequel trilogy, Lucas's liberal politics came to the forefront, with there being a more overt left-leaning agenda in the films, including a negative depiction of creating a military, a negative depiction of capitalism in ''Episode I'' and ''II'' via the main antagonistic groups of the Trade Federation and the Separatists, respectively (the former showing the Trade Federation literally owning a seat in the Senate, and the latter having the inner circle of the Separatists being composed of various corporations such as the aforementioned Trade Federation as well as the Techno Guild, Intergalactic Banking Clan, and the Corporate Alliance), some demonization of Republicans in the form of the main antagonist Nute Gunray (who was explicitly named after both [[Ronald Reagan]] in reference to his role in SDI as well as then-Senate Majority Leader [[Newt Gingrich]]), the minor character and "senator" of the Trade Federation Lott Dod (referring to Trent Lott, then-current House Majority Leader of the Republican Party), and to a lesser extent the entire Republican party (as the first film, and the decision to make the Trade Federation the main villains was derived largely from the [[Republican Revolution (1994)|Republican Revolution of 1994]] as well as Gingrich's [[Contract with America]] plan, all of which had occurred within eight days of Lucas draft-writing ''Episode I''), as well as some [[George W. Bush]] jabs in the third movie (as well as at least one implied instance of promoting postmodernism via the line "Only a Sith deals in absolutes."). In addition, the prequel movies had implicitly condemned elements of the family unit, as part of the Jedi code denounced having any attachments, with parental attachments being included, as well as George Lucas implying that Vader turning to the Dark Side was ultimately rooted in a desire to protect his family, which he labeled as "greedy". While box office successes, the Prequel Trilogy had controversial reception, with complaints including the creation of Jar-Jar Binks as well as the more overt pushing of politics in the films (particularly pushing a more left-wing view of politics).

In 1984 and 1985, two spinoff movies to the original trilogy (''Episode IV, V'' and ''VI'') were made featuring the Ewok characters seen in ''Episode VI: Return of the Jedi''.  An animated film called ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' was released in 2008. In 2012, [[George Lucas]] sold the franchise to [[The Walt Disney Company]], which plans to make three more movies <ref>https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/10/30/disney-buying-tar-wars-maker-lucasfilm-for-405b/</ref>  ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' was released on December 18, 2015, making it the second film in the overall franchise (the first being ''The Clone Wars''), and the first in the main series, to not be released in May.  ''Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi'' followed suit, releasing on December 15, 2017.  ''Episode IX'' is slated for a December 20, 2019 release, with J.J. Abrams returning to direct.  Overall, with the comics, movies, video games, books of various genres, and toys, it is the second-highest grossing media franchise in existence, with only ''[[Pokemon]]'' surpassing it.

In 1984 and 1985, two spinoff movies to the original trilogy (''Episode IV, V'' and ''VI'') were made featuring the Ewok characters seen in ''Episode VI: Return of the Jedi''.  An animated film called ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' was released in 2008. In 2012, [[George Lucas]] sold the franchise to [[The Walt Disney Company]], which plans to make three more movies <ref>https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/10/30/disney-buying-tar-wars-maker-lucasfilm-for-405b/</ref>  ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' was released on December 18, 2015, making it the second film in the overall franchise (the first being ''The Clone Wars''), and the first in the main series, to not be released in May.  ''Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi'' followed suit, releasing on December 15, 2017.  ''Episode IX'' is slated for a December 20, 2019 release, with J.J. Abrams returning to direct.  Overall, with the comics, movies, video games, books of various genres, and toys, it is the second-highest-grossing media franchise in existence, with only ''[[Pokemon]]'' surpassing it.

== Main Films ==

 

===Main Films===

*''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]''

*''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]''

*''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]''

*''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]''

*''[[Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker]]''

*''[[Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker]]''

==Other Films==

===Other Films===

*''Caravan of Courage'' (1984; TV)

*''Caravan of Courage'' (1984; TV)

*''The Battle for Endor'' (1985; TV)

*''The Battle for Endor'' (1985; TV)

*''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'' (2018)

*''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'' (2018)

==Television==

===Television===

*''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' (1978)  

*''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' (1978)  

*''Droids'' (1985-1986)

*''Droids'' (1985–1986)

*''Ewoks'' (1985-1986)

*''Ewoks'' (1985–1986)

*''Clone Wars'' (2003-2005)

*''Clone Wars'' (2003–2005)

*''The Clone Wars'' (2008-2014)

*''The Clone Wars'' (2008–2014)

*''Rebels'' (2014-2018)

*''Rebels'' (2014–2018)

*''[[The Mandalorian]]'' (2019)

*''[[The Mandalorian]]'' (2019)

==Expanded Universe==

==Expanded Universe==

Since the success of the film [[franchise]], Lucasfilm has licensed a number of novels, comic books, and video games that take place in the Star Wars universe, otherwise known as the Expanded Universe (EU). Hundreds of novels and comics and dozens of video games have been, and continue to be produced. Although these spin-off media often take place before, after or in between the films, some take place in "alternate realities." A major focus of the EU is to feature characters not on-screen or only briefly shown in the films. All officially licensed works are considered canon, except in places where they contradict the films. There are also two cartoon series and three TV movies, two about the Ewoks and the ''Star Wars Holiday Special'', which represented a secularized version of [[Christmas]] for Wookiees known as "Life Day."  The last has been disowned by Lucas due to its incredibly poor quality, however an animated sequence from the special featuring Boba Fett was released as an Easter egg on the Star Wars [[Blu-ray]] collection.

Since the success of the film [[franchise]], Lucasfilm has licensed a number of novels, comic books, and video games that take place in the Star Wars universe, otherwise known as the Expanded Universe (EU). Hundreds of novels and comics and dozens of video games have been, and continue to be produced. Although these spin-off media often take place before, after or in between the films, some take place in "alternate realities." A major focus of the EU is to feature characters not on-screen or only briefly shown in the films. All officially licensed works are considered canon, except in places where they contradict the films. There are also two cartoon series and three TV movies, two about the Ewoks and the ''Star Wars Holiday Special'', which represented a secularized version of [[Christmas]] for Wookiees known as "Life Day."  The last has been disowned by Lucas due to its incredibly poor quality, however, an animated sequence from the special featuring Boba Fett was released as an Easter egg on the Star Wars [[Blu-ray]] collection.

Of note is ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'', the only part of the Expanded Universe to reach the big screen.

Of note is ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'', the only part of the Expanded Universe to reach the big screen.

== Prequel Trilogy ==

== Prequel Trilogy ==

From 1999-2005, George Lucas released ''Episodes I, II'' and ''III'' of the ''Star Wars'' saga.  Although released after the original films, they take place prior to them.  The films tell the story of Anakin Skywalker, from being discovered on Tatooine, his Jedi training, his role in the Clone Wars, and ultimately, how he becomes Darth Vader.  The films have been met with mixed reaction.  Out of the three, ''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'', is generally considered the best of the prequels.

From 1999-2005, George Lucas released ''Episodes I, II'' and ''III'' of the ''Star Wars'' saga.  Although released after the original films, they take place prior to them.  The films tell the story of Anakin Skywalker, from being discovered on Tatooine, his Jedi training, his role in the Clone Wars, and ultimately, how he becomes Darth Vader.  The films have been met with mixed reactions.  Out of the three, ''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'', is generally considered the best of the prequels.

== The Franchise ==

== The Franchise ==

The ''Star Wars'' film series and its expanded universe has been a large revenue producer.  As of 2005 the ''Star Wars'' franchise has produced over $20 billion.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/2005/05/12/cx_ah_0512starwars.html</ref>  With the release of the expanded universe series it has increased.

The ''Star Wars'' film series and its expanded universe have been a large revenue producer.  As of 2005 the ''Star Wars'' franchise has produced over $20 billion.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/2005/05/12/cx_ah_0512starwars.html</ref>  With the release of the expanded universe series, it has increased.

== Portrayal of religion ==

== Portrayal of religion ==

George Lucas has stated that he came up with the idea of "The Force" as he wanted to promote a vague idea of hollow Hollywood-style spirituality without referencing any recognizable religion.<ref>https://www.dailykos.com/comments/115213/2697417#comment_2697417</ref> Despite this, the depiction of the philosophy and beliefs of the Jedi seem to be a way to promote eastern mysticism (in particular Buddhism) and undermine Christianity in the movie's western audience. This is typical of the [[new age movement|New Age movement]]'s tendency to use parts of different religions willy-nilly without any structure of sense, and shows the influence of Lucas growing up in 1960s California, which he had briefly referenced in an interview regarding his film ''Red Tails''.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-lucas-billionaire-down-on-capitalism/</ref> In addition, the Sith and Empire, largely due to Lucas's attempts at trying to push an anti-Vietnam War message within the movie, come across as being closer to Western religions than the Jedi.<ref>http://www.dailywire.com/news/2037/force-star-wars-stupid-and-immoral-ben-shapiro</ref> Lucas is strongly liberal and actually describes himself as a "Buddhist Methodist".<ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pl/George_Lucas.html</ref> In large part because of the Force largely being based on new-age elements, the commentator Ben Shapiro, otherwise a massive ''Star Wars'' fan, condemns the concept of the Force as being "stupid" and "amoral" largely because of the implication that having any anger at all automatically means you are an evil person, even if the anger in question is actually directed towards something that actually is an evil act.<ref>http://www.dailywire.com/news/2037/force-star-wars-stupid-and-immoral-ben-shapiro</ref>

George Lucas has stated that he came up with the idea of "The Force" as he wanted to promote a vague idea of hollow Hollywood-style spirituality without referencing any recognizable religion.<ref>https://www.dailykos.com/comments/115213/2697417#comment_2697417</ref> Despite this, the depiction of the philosophy and beliefs of the Jedi seem to be a way to promote eastern mysticism (in particular Buddhism) and undermine Christianity in the movie's western audience. This is typical of the [[new age movement|New Age movement]]'s tendency to use parts of different religions willy-nilly without any structure of sense, and shows the influence of Lucas growing up in 1960s California, which he had briefly referenced in an interview regarding his film ''Red Tails''.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-lucas-billionaire-down-on-capitalism/</ref> In addition, the Sith and Empire, largely due to Lucas's attempts at trying to push an anti-Vietnam War message within the movie, come across as being closer to Western religions than the Jedi.<ref>http://www.dailywire.com/news/2037/force-star-wars-stupid-and-immoral-ben-shapiro</ref> Lucas is strongly liberal and actually describes himself as a "Buddhist Methodist".<ref>http://www.adherents.com/people/pl/George_Lucas.html</ref> In large part because of the Force largely being based on new-age elements, the commentator Ben Shapiro, otherwise a massive ''Star Wars'' fan, condemns the concept of the Force as being "stupid" and "amoral" largely because of the implication that having any anger at all automatically means you are an evil person, even if the anger in question is actually directed towards something that actually is an evil act.<ref>http://www.dailywire.com/news/2037/force-star-wars-stupid-and-immoral-ben-shapiro</ref>

Regarding [[moral relativity]], the franchise has generally depicted the concept in a more neutral light overall, while being a bit closer to promoting it, with ''Return of the Jedi'' and ''Revenge of the Sith'' both having the character Obi-Wan Kenobi implicitly supporting moral relativity, at least under the context of the Jedi using it. In particular, the former had Obi-Wan Kenobi, when admitting that his telling Luke that Vader killed his father was not quite true, stated that what he said was "true - from a certain point of view", he tells a dumbfounded Luke (who had already learned that Vader was in fact his biological father all along) that the latter will eventually learn that [[Subjectivism|many of the great many truths that people cling to depend greatly on that person's point of view]]; and the latter had Obi-Wan Kenobi, when confronting Vader on Mustafar just prior to the duel, saying "Only a Sith deals in Absolutes" after the latter yelled "If you are not with me, then you are my enemy!" On the other hand, Palpatine while tempting Anakin claimed that "good was a point of view", and upon stating that evil is simply a point of view, Anakin is berated by Obi-Wan and his worldview is condemned. "From my point of view," Anakin states, "the Jedi are evil." Obi-Wan responds by claiming that this means that he is "lost" to darkness, which has been interpreted as condemning moral relativity.

Regarding [[moral relativity]], the franchise has generally depicted the concept in a more neutral light overall, while being a bit closer to promoting it, with ''Return of the Jedi'' and ''Revenge of the Sith'' both having the character Obi-Wan Kenobi implicitly supporting moral relativity, at least under the context of the Jedi using it. In particular, the former had Obi-Wan Kenobi, when admitting that his telling Luke that Vader killed his father was not quite true, stated that what he said was "true - from a certain point of view", he tells a dumbfounded Luke (who had already learned that Vader was, in fact, his biological father all along) that the latter will eventually learn that [[Subjectivism|many of the great many truths that people cling to depend greatly on that person's point of view]]; and the latter had Obi-Wan Kenobi, when confronting Vader on Mustafar just prior to the duel, saying "Only a Sith deals in Absolutes" after the latter yelled "If you are not with me, then you are my enemy!" On the other hand, Palpatine while tempting Anakin claimed that "good was a point of view", and upon stating that evil is simply a point of view, Anakin is berated by Obi-Wan and his worldview is condemned. "From my point of view," Anakin states, "the Jedi are evil." Obi-Wan responds by claiming that this means that he is "lost" to darkness, which has been interpreted as condemning moral relativity.

== Controversy ==

== Controversy ==

In 2004, the Original Trilogy was released on DVD for the first time, eight months before the release of ''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith''.  These releases featured even more changes.  In ''A New Hope'', Jabba's appearance was altered to look more like he did in ''Return of the Jedi''.  In ''The Empire Strikes Back'', the scene in which Darth Vader talks to Palpatine was altered.  Elaine Baker, who played the Emperor, and Clive Revill, who provided the voice, were replaced with Ian McDiarmid.  McDiarmid played Palpatine in ''Return of the Jedi'' as well as the Prequel Trilogy.  The way the Emperor looks in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' is similar to his appearance in ''Revenge of the Sith''.  The voice of Boba Fett was also changed.  Temuera Morrison, who played Jango Fett in ''Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones'', provided the voice.  Out of the three original films, ''Return of the Jedi'' has the most notorious changes.  The first was the inclusion of a celebration scene on Naboo in the ending following Palpatine's death, as well as a Gungan saying "Wesa Free!" in the background.  The second was Sebastian Shaw, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker as a force ghost being edited out from the Endor celebration scene and replaced with Hayden Christensen.  The reason provided for the change was that he "died as a Jedi" in ''Revenge of the Sith'', hence why he looks the same.

In 2004, the Original Trilogy was released on DVD for the first time, eight months before the release of ''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith''.  These releases featured even more changes.  In ''A New Hope'', Jabba's appearance was altered to look more like he did in ''Return of the Jedi''.  In ''The Empire Strikes Back'', the scene in which Darth Vader talks to Palpatine was altered.  Elaine Baker, who played the Emperor, and Clive Revill, who provided the voice, were replaced with Ian McDiarmid.  McDiarmid played Palpatine in ''Return of the Jedi'' as well as the Prequel Trilogy.  The way the Emperor looks in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' is similar to his appearance in ''Revenge of the Sith''.  The voice of Boba Fett was also changed.  Temuera Morrison, who played Jango Fett in ''Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones'', provided the voice.  Out of the three original films, ''Return of the Jedi'' has the most notorious changes.  The first was the inclusion of a celebration scene on Naboo in the ending following Palpatine's death, as well as a Gungan saying "Wesa Free!" in the background.  The second was Sebastian Shaw, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker as a force ghost being edited out from the Endor celebration scene and replaced with Hayden Christensen.  The reason provided for the change was that he "died as a Jedi" in ''Revenge of the Sith'', hence why he looks the same.

2011 saw the entire saga released on Blu-Ray.  Like the 2004 releases, these films also had significant changes.  In ''A New Hope'', rocks were included in the small cave that R2-D2 was hiding in when they were found by Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Like 2004, ''Return of the Jedi'', once again, had the most talked about changes.  The first was that the eyes of the Ewoks could now blink.  The second, and most controversial, was when Darth Vader screamed "No!" right before throwing the Emperor down the Death Star shaft.  This set also saw an alteration to the Prequel Trilogy.  In ''The Phantom Menace'', the puppet Yoda was replaced with a CGI model used in ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith''.

2011 saw the entire saga released on Blu-Ray.  Like the 2004 releases, these films also had significant changes.  In ''A New Hope'', rocks were included in the small cave that R2-D2 was hiding in when they were found by Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Like 2004, ''Return of the Jedi'', once again, had the most talked-about changes.  The first was that the eyes of the Ewoks could now blink.  The second, and most controversial, was when Darth Vader screamed "No!" right before throwing the Emperor down the Death Star shaft.  This set also saw an alteration to the Prequel Trilogy.  In ''The Phantom Menace'', the puppet Yoda was replaced with a CGI model used in ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith''.

When Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, many fans hoped this would mean a release of the Original Unaltered Trilogy.  However, the rights to ''A New Hope'' permanently belong to 20th Century Fox, while the rights to the Prequel Trilogy, ''The Empire Strikes Back'', and ''Return of the Jedi'' revert to Disney in the year 2020. However, Disney eventually managed to get the rights to ''A New Hope'' via its purchase of 20th Century Fox in late 2017 (a purchase cleared by U.S. antitrust officials in June 2018, but which still needs the approval of international regulators).

When Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, many fans hoped this would mean a release of the Original Unaltered Trilogy.  However, the rights to ''A New Hope'' permanently belong to 20th Century Fox, while the rights to the Prequel Trilogy, ''The Empire Strikes Back'', and ''Return of the Jedi'' revert to Disney in the year 2020. However, Disney eventually managed to get the rights to ''A New Hope'' via its purchase of 20th Century Fox in late 2017 (a purchase cleared by U.S. antitrust officials in June 2018, but which still needs the approval of international regulators).

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Star Wars| ]]

[[Category:Star Wars| ]]