Changes

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: The Rise of Skywalker'' was released on December 20, 2019, 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.

==Films and television shows==

==Films and television shows==

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.

After the franchise was bought out by The Walt Disney Company, a new expanded universe was established, with the old one being designated as "Legends" material.

After the franchise was bought out by the Walt Disney Company, a new expanded universe was established, with the old one being designated as "Legends" material.

In 2014, Lucasfilm overhauled the ''Star Wars'' canon, meaning that all expanded universe materials prior to that year, except the 2008 ''Clone Wars'' television show, would no longer be canon.

In 2014, Lucasfilm overhauled the ''Star Wars'' canon, meaning that all expanded universe materials prior to that year, except the 2008 ''Clone Wars'' television show, would no longer be canon.

== 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 reactions.  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 ==