History of Star Wars in Timeline

Star Wars is a hugely successful American space opera franchise that began with the 1977 film. Created by George Lucas, it quickly gained worldwide popularity and expanded into a vast fictional universe encompassing films, TV series, video games, novels, and more. It's one of the highest-grossing media franchises ever.

1977: George Lucas gives up salary for merchandising rights

In 1977, George Lucas gave up $500,000 from his salary as director of the original film in exchange for full ownership of the franchise's merchandising rights.

1977: Publication of First Star Wars Trading Cards

In 1977, Topps published the first "blue" series of Star Wars Trading Cards.

1977: Release of Star Wars: Escape from the Death Star

In 1977, the board game Star Wars: Escape from the Death Star was released.

1977: Cultural impact of the first Star Wars film

In 1977, the first Star Wars film became a cultural unifier and helped launch the science-fiction boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

1977: 20th Century Fox's financial success

In 1977, the original Star Wars film revitalized 20th Century Fox, doubling its stock price and leading to record profits.

1977: Political themes in Star Wars

Since the franchise launched in 1977, political science has been an important element of Star Wars, focusing on a struggle between democracy and dictatorship.

1979: Alien influenced by Star Wars

In 1979, Ridley Scott's Alien was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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1981: Mad Max 2 influenced by Star Wars

In 1981, George Miller's Mad Max 2 was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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1982: Blade Runner influenced by Star Wars

In 1982, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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1984: The Terminator influenced by Star Wars

In 1984, James Cameron's The Terminator was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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1986: Aliens influenced by Star Wars

In 1986, James Cameron's Aliens was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

1987: Merchandising revenue reaches US$2.6 billion

By 1987, the first three Star Wars films had generated US$2.6 billion in merchandising revenue.

1987: Opening of Star Tours

In 1987, the Disneyland ride Star Tours opened.

1989: Original Star Wars film selected for preservation

In 1989, the Library of Congress selected the original Star Wars film for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.

1993: Release of Galaxy Series II "floating Yoda" P3 card

In 1993, the Galaxy Series II "floating Yoda" P3 card was released. It has since become a rare and highly collectible card.

1995: Decipher, Inc. licenses Star Wars Customizable Card Game

From 1995 until 2001, Decipher, Inc. created and produced the Star Wars Customizable Card Game.

1995: Release of Dark Forces

In 1995, LucasArts released Dark Forces, the first Star Wars first-person shooter. The game had gameplay and graphical features not common in other games, made possible by the Jedi game engine. It introduced Kyle Katarn, a former stormtrooper who joins the Rebellion and becomes a Jedi.

1996: Release of Shadows of the Empire

In 1996, the multimedia project Shadows of the Empire was released, set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It included a novel by Steve Perry, a comic book series, a video game, and action figures.

Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)

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1997: Special Editions presented for preservation

In 1997, 35 mm reels of the Special Editions were initially presented for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.

1997: Pez dispensers production begins

In 1997, Pez dispensers based on Star Wars characters began to be produced.

1997: Release of Star Wars Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit

In 1997, Star Wars Monopoly and themed versions of Trivial Pursuit and Battleship were released.

2001: Decipher, Inc. stops producing the Star Wars Customizable Card Game

From 1995 until 2001, Decipher, Inc. created and produced the Star Wars Customizable Card Game, when they stopped.

2001: The Lord of the Rings trilogy influenced by Star Wars

From 2001 to 2003, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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2002: First Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards

In 2002, Lucasfilm sponsored the first annual Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards, recognizing filmmakers and the genre.

2003: The Lord of the Rings trilogy influenced by Star Wars

From 2001 to 2003, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy was influenced by Lucas's concept of a "used universe" from Star Wars.

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2003: Launch of Star Wars Galaxies

In 2003, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Star Wars Galaxies, began operation.

2005: Release of Risk: The Clone Wars Edition

In 2005, Hasbro released Risk: The Clone Wars Edition, an adaptation of the board game Risk.

2006: Release of Risk: The Original Trilogy Edition

In 2006, Hasbro released Risk: The Original Trilogy Edition, an adaptation of the board game Risk.

2007: Lucasfilm allows in-universe fiction entries

In 2007, Lucasfilm changed the submission standards for the Official Star Wars Fan Film Awards to allow in-universe fiction entries.

2008: Release of The Force Unleashed

In 2008, The Force Unleashed, a multimedia project set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, was released. It included a novel and a video game.

2010: Inception influenced by Star Wars

In 2010, Christopher Nolan cited Star Wars as an influence when making the blockbuster film Inception.

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2010: The Empire Strikes Back selected for preservation

In 2010, The Empire Strikes Back was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry.

2010: Release of The Force Unleashed Sequel

In 2010, a sequel to the video game The Force Unleashed was released as part of the larger multimedia project.

2011: Opening of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

In 2011, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue opened, as a successor to the original Star Tours ride.

2011: Closure of Star Wars Galaxies

In 2011, Star Wars Galaxies, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game, ceased operation.

2012: Merchandising revenue reaches US$20 billion

By 2012, the first six Star Wars films had produced approximately US$20 billion in merchandising revenue.

2013: LucasArts ceases developer role

In 2013, after Disney bought Lucasfilm, LucasArts ceased its role as a developer, although it still operates as a licensor.

November 2015: Release of Star Wars: Battlefront

In November 2015, Star Wars: Battlefront received a canonical reboot.

November 2017: Release of Jedi Challenges and Battlefront II

In November 2017, Disney partnered with Lenovo to release the augmented reality video game Jedi Challenges. Also in November 2017, Battlefront II, a sequel to the Battlefront games, was released as a canonical reboot.

August 2018: Zynga to Publish Star Wars Mobile Games

In August 2018, it was announced that Zynga would publish free-to-play Star Wars mobile games.

November 2019: Release of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

In November 2019, the single-player action-adventure game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, was released. It featured an original story and cast of characters.