*Part 1 of the Empire of Dreams: Making of Star Wars documentary from the Star Wars Trilogy 2004 DVD set.
An in-depth making of documentary about the original Star Wars trilogy, covering the productions of the three films and their impact on popular culture.
*Please note this is a trailer for the Documentary, not the full length version.
Ten years after the invasion of Naboo, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi named Count Dooku, thousands of solar systems threaten to break away from the Galactic Republic. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, twenty-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her. In the course of his mission, Anakin discovers his love for Padmé as well as his own darker side. Soon, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are drawn into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome is a 2001 mockumentary short originally created for starwars.com staring R2-D2 in a fictionalized life story of the droid from the Star Wars film series.
In part five of Ralph McQuarrie, Star Wars Concept Artist: Tribute to a Master, concept artist and illustrator Marc Gabanna, Industrial Light & Magic’s Scott Farrar, and others continue their discussion of the industry giant’s work, from his personal style to the wide-ranging impact of his paintings.
Stranded on the desert planet Tatooine after rescuing young Queen Amidala from the impending invasion of Naboo, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker, a young slave unusually strong in the Force. Anakin wins a thrilling Podrace and with it his freedom as he leaves his home to be trained as a Jedi. The heroes return to Naboo where Anakin and the Queen face massive invasion forces while the two Jedi contend with a deadly foe named Darth Maul. Only then do they realize the invasion is merely the first step in a sinister scheme by the re-emergent forces of darkness known as the Sith.
R2-D2: Beneath the Dome is a 2001 mockumentary short originally created for starwars.com staring R2-D2 in a fictionalized life story of the droid from the Star Wars film series.
This is an excerpt from the Ralph McQuarrie tribute “Dreams and Visions Press” produced for Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012, drawing from interviews conducted for a feature length documentary on Ralph McQuarrie that is currently in production.
This Return of the Jedi teaser trailer from 1982 features early looks at many of the film’s most famous scenes, and is the first trailer to feature the movie’s new title – famously, it was originally called Revenge of the Jedi until George Lucas opted to change the name, noting that revenge is not the Jedi way. The trailer focuses heavily on the idea of “return,” with the narrator opening the preview by saying, “Return to a galaxy far, far away,” and later, “Return to heroic adventure,” and “Return to the ultimate confrontation.”
The trailer showcases many scenes out of sequence, focusing on action and the heroes and villains of the film. The opening shot is of Han, Chewie, Luke, C-3PO, Leia, and R2-D2 aboard the stolen Imperial shuttle Tydirium, en route to Endor (“You ready everybody?” Han says. “Chewie, let’s see what this piece of junk can do.”), then cuts to the Millennium Falcon during the Rebels’ assault on the Death Star, shows Jabba and much of the battle on his sail barge, Ewoks battling Stormtroopers on Endor, and the final duel between Luke and Darth Vader in the presence of the Emperor. The trailer actually does not feature the complete Return of the Jedi logo.
On this episode of Science and Star Wars (paid for by IBM), we explore real-world technologies for traveling the galaxy with astronaut Cady Coleman and take a tour of the International Space Station.
In part three of this retrospective on Ralph McQuarrie, concept artist of the original Star Wars trilogy, George Lucas, Dave Filoni, and others discuss his influence on Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
This week in Star Wars, we get excited for a behind-the-scenes look at the Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series with the newly announced documentary, Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi’s Return coming to Disney+, go on a new adventure with Cal Kestis and the Mantis crew from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and prep for back to school with B2EM0. Plus, we countdown to the release of Andor with a quick look into Cassian Andor.
This trailer for Return of the Jedi is identical to one released earlier in 1982, with one exception: it features the movie’s new title and logo. Famously, the film was originally called Revenge of the Jedi until George Lucas opted to change the name, noting that revenge is not the Jedi way.
In this episode of Science and Star Wars (paid for by IBM), Daniel Logan joins us for a look a the technology powering the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunter, Boba Fett.
Ralph McQuarrie, concept artist of the original Star Wars trilogy, was essential in bringing the characters, ships, and locales of a galaxy far, far away to life. In part two of this special tribute, Star Wars designer Doug Chiang, concept artist and illustrator Marc Gabbana, and Fan Relations Advisor Steve Sansweet weigh in on the daunting task of following in Ralph’s legendary footsteps and his work’s lasting impact on the Star Wars universe.
To steal from the Empire, you just walk in like you belong.
Check out this brand-new clip from #Andor, an Original series from Star Wars. The three-episode premiere begins streaming September 21 only on Disney+.
Watch the original teaser trailer for Revenge of the Jedi, which appeared in theaters before Star Wars creator George Lucas changed the name of the film to Return of the Jedi. This trailer features the completed Revenge of the Jedi logo, shows Luke wielding a blue lightsaber (in the final film, his Jedi weapon would have a green blade), and features a quick shot of Obi-Wan Kenobi before “spirit” effects were added.
On this episode of Science and Star Wars, C-3PO himself, Anthony Daniels, joins us for a look at how artificial intelligence is being used here on Earth. Paid for by IBM
This theatrical trailer for The Empire Strikes Back features early looks at many sequences from the film. The trailer shows glimpses of Luke Skywalker’s duel with Darth Vader on Bespin (in which lighstaber effects had yet to be added, making both Luke and Vader’s weapons appear to have white blades), Han Solo shooting at Vader on Cloud City, and the Hoth battle (including AT-ATs and snowspeeders). The format of the trailer then shifts, showcasing each hero individually: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Chewbacca, and various scenes in which they are featured. The trailer features no narration except for the end, and is driven primarily by John Williams’ end credits music as well as the “The Imperial March,” a classic Star Wars theme that would make its debut in The Empire Strikes Back. Tellingly, Boba Fett is nowhere to be seen in this trailer, but the official logo for The Empire Strikes Back does make its first on-screen appearance here.
Ralph McQuarrie, concept artist of the original Star Wars trilogy, was essential in bringing the characters, ships, and locales of a galaxy far, far away to life. In this special retrospective, Star Wars creator George Lucas, Industrial Light & Magic effects legend Dennis Muren, and many others discuss the impact of McQuarrie, his artistic gifts, and his legacy.
Watch The Empire Strikes Back theatrical trailer, which debuted in fall 1979 and gave audiences their first look at the sequel to Star Wars. In addition to a sampling of scenes taken from the entire movie, the trailer surprisingly features footage that was cut from the final film, including a kiss between Luke and Leia, C-3PO removing a warning sticket from a door in the Rebel base on Hoth, and more. Most interesting, however, is the voiceover — provided by none other than Harrison Ford himself.
This special explores the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to the screen, as well as Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen to their classic roles. Director Deborah Chow leads the cast and crew as they create new heroes and villains that live alongside new incarnations of beloved Star Wars characters, and an epic story that dramatically bridges the saga films.
The #DisneyPlusDay premiere of the behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Obi-Wan Kenobi starts streaming September 8 on Disney+.
The starwars.com 10 is a special video series in which the starwars.com editorial staff discusses and ranks various topics relating to a galaxy far, far away.
Watch the original teaser trailer for The Empire Strikes Back, which is notable for solely featuring concept art by Ralph McQuarrie but no film footage. Among the McQuarrie paintings seen are the Rebel hangar on Hoth, Luke on a tauntaun, Darth Vader aboard a Star Destroyer, Cloud City, an Imperial probe droid, and Luke’s final duel with Darth Vader.
This Star Wars trailer is for a limited two-week re-release of the film on April 10, 1981. This re-release was historic, as it would mark the first appearance of “Episode IV A New Hope” in the movie’s opening crawl, officially rebranding the film as Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope — in its original release, it was simply called Star Wars.
The short trailer features clips from several scenes, including Han Solo blasting Stormtroopers on Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s encounter with Sand People, and the Millennium Falcon’s escape from the Death Star. The trailer’s narrator calls the film “legendary” and describes it as “the most popular film of all time” — referencing the box office record for ticket sales held by Star Wars at the time.
