Star Wars
- Created by
- George Lucas
- First Film
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Latest Film
- Star Wars: Episode XI - The Rise of Skywalker
- First TV Show
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Summary
Created by George Lucas, Star Wars began in 1977 with the then-eponymous film that would later be retitled Episode IV: A New Hope. The original Star Wars trilogy centered on Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa, who helped lead the Rebel Alliance to victory over the tyrannous Galactic Empire. This Empire was overseen by Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine, who was aided by the cybernetic menace known as Darth Vader. In 1999, Lucas returned to Star Wars with a prequel trilogy that explored how Luke’s father Anakin Skywalker became a Jedi and eventually succumbed to the dark side of the Force. This, of course, is what led him to become the aforementioned Darth Vader. Lucas would sell Lucasfilm and Star Wars to The Walt Disney Company in 2012, and two years later, Disney declared the entire Expanded Universe – consisting of novels, comic books, video games and more – non-canon. The new era of Star Wars canon was bolstered by the sequel trilogy, which kicked off in 2015 with The Force Awakens. This trilogy saw a new generation of heroes band together to take down the First Order, an Empire-like regime that rose from the ashes of Palpatine’s original Empire. The faction was led by Supreme Leader Snoke and later Kylo Ren, the son of Han and Leia and the grandson of Darth Vader. Outside of the prequel, original and sequel trilogies, Disney experimented with Star Wars anthology films such as Rogue One and Solo. When Disney+ launched in 2019, the company also expanded into live-action television with The Mandalorian, which paved the way for The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Andor and more. The streaming service also housed the revival of The Clone Wars for its final season and a spinoff called The Bad Batch. As for the Expanded Universe, while those stories are no longer canon, fans can still revisit them under the Star Wars Legends banner.
How Did Anakin Get His Scar in Star Wars Canon?
The scar over Anakin Skywalker's right eye has never been explained in Star Wars canon. The possibilities range from the dark to the ridiculous.
Ahsoka's Cinematographer Brings New Light and Color to the Star Wars Universe
In an interview with CBR, Ahsoka cinematographer Eric Steelberg reveals the tricks and challenges in bringing the hit Star Wars show to life.
How the Star Wars Expanded Universe Saved Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala's spotlight dimmed with every Star Wars movie she appeared in, but the Expanded Universe reignited her spark.
How Ahsoka’s Noti Stack Up Against Other Cute Star Wars Creatures
Some fans have praised Ahsoka's Noti as the cutest Star Wars creatures yet. But they have stiff competition, especially from the beloved Ewoks.
Ahsoka: Who Defaced the Statue of the Daughter--And Why?
In the Ahsoka season finale, a statue of a Mortis god is partially missing. It was likely destroyed, with dark ramifications for all of Star Wars.
Ahsoka: When Did Kanan and Hera Conceive Jacen?
Jacen Syndulla is the son of Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus, and one of Ahsoka's legacy characters. But when was he born in the Star Wars timeline?
10 Best Events For a Star Wars What If… Series
The What If...? concept could easily be applied to many Star Wars stories to tell even more intriguing tales about war, politics and the Force.
Ahsoka's Mysterious Inquisitor Could Still Be Starkiller From Star Wars Legends
Ahsoka introduced a mysterious inquisitor, and one popular theory hopes that Starkiller from Legends is under the mask.
It’s Time for Star Wars To Bring Its Video Game Characters To Live-Action
Plenty of Star Wars characters from animation have received the live-action treatment. Now it's time for its video game characters to get some love.
Ahsoka's Finale Connects to a Beloved Children's Classic
Star Wars has always incorporated science fiction and fantasy tropes, but Ahsoka's finale made its biggest homage to a children's fantasy novel.
10 Star Wars Characters Who Deserve A Black, White & Red Marvel Comic
Marvel's Black, White, and Red comics are artistically stunning and narratively dee, and these Star Wars characters would benefit from the format.
Ahsoka Paves the Way for the Canonization of Another Legends Tale
The Ahsoka Disney+ series featured the Witches of Dathomir as antagonists, which could make room for other Star Wars Nightsisters to become canon.
Marvel Comics Celebrates Star Wars Life Day With Variant Covers
Marvel celebrates the Wookie holiday Life Day from Star Wars with new variant covers featuring Anakin Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca and more.
Guillermo del Toro Reflects on Canceled Star Wars Movie: 'We Designed a Great World'
Guillermo del Toro shares how he looked at the bright side when his Star Wars movie about Jabba the Hutt died in development hell.
How a Mysterious Star Wars Villain Proved The Franchise Needs to Move on From The Force
The mysterious Doctor Cylo's vision of a galaxy that had moved beyond the Force could change the face of the Star Wars universe forever.
The 10 Most Devastating Events In Ahsoka's Life
Introduced to fans as a bright and hopeful teen, Ahsoka Tano has dealt with horrific traumas over the years.
Baylan Skoll Raises Some of Star Wars' Biggest Questions
After Ahsoka's finale, the future of Baylan Skoll is unclear. But the character helped to introduce some of the show's most interesting concepts.
Every Jedi Voice Rey Hears in The Rise of Skywalker
When Rey thought she was alone in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, she was guided by Jedi voices from the past. Here are all the Jedi who helped her.
Ahsoka Sets Up a Chance to Redefine Kylo Ren's Biggest Misstep
Ahsoka's finale paved the way for Shin Hati to officially have a Kylo Ren story, but with a much better journey than what Ben Solo ended up getting.
10 Most Important Star Wars Easter Eggs In Ahsoka's Finale
As Season 1 of the action-packed Ahsoka concludes, there are many huge Easter eggs and nods to previous Star Wars TV shows, cartoons and movies.