‘Star Wars’ timeline
In some ways, the offscreen adventures of “Star Wars” have been just as interesting as the space opera’s story line itself. The behind-the-scenes narrative of the movie world’s most enduring serial begins in an unlikely place and centers on a man’s singular vision — a vision that has touched generations of moviegoers. Here’s a timeline that shows how the Force got to be with us:
May 14, 1944
George Lucas is born in a galaxy far, far away: Modesto.
1967
At USC’s film school, Lucas directs the sci-fi short “THX-1138 4EB,” which attracts the attention of Steven Spielberg.
1971
“THX-1138” (a feature film based on Lucas’ short) opens at theaters. It flops at the box office.
George Lucas founds Lucasfilm in San Rafael.
1973
Lucas directs “American Graffiti,” which rings up $100 million. Lucas is now financially able to chase his passion project: a space western.
1973-76
Lucas founds Industrial Light & Magic in Van Nuys to ensure state-of-the-art special effects for “Star Wars.”
James Earl Jones becomes the voice of Darth Vader, though Lucas had originally envisioned Orson Welles.
May 25, 1977
“Star Wars,” seen by the studios as a minor film, opens at 32 theaters nationwide. It eventually rockets at the box office to the tune of about $800 million worldwide, at the time the highestgrossing movie ever.
1978
“Star Wars” wins six Oscars at the Academy Awards (for original score, editing, art direction, sound editing, visual effects and costume design), though it loses out to “Annie Hall” for best picture.
Industrial Light & Magic moves its head-
quarters from Van Nuys to Marin County.
May 21, 1980
“The Empire Strikes Back” hits theaters. It earns $4.9 million in its opening weekend in the United States, and eventually tallies $534 million worldwide.
Overnight, the pint-size Jedi master Yoda becomes an international superstar and a big moneymaker for “Star Wars” toy merchandising. Lucas owns all the rights.
May 25, 1983
“Return of the Jedi” opens, garnering $23 million in its opening weekend domestically. In the end, it makes $572 million worldwide.
1983-93: The Hiatus
Lucas takes a break from the grind, but reveals that the first three movies were actually only parts four, five and six of a much bigger serial. He also reveals that he has outlined the stories for parts one, two and three: the “Star Wars” prequels.
To great fanfare in 1993, Lucas announces plans for the official resumption of the “Star Wars” series. He will direct the films himself.
1997
“Star Wars,” “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” are rereleased theatrically as part of the “The Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition.” Parents take their kids in droves.
The rereleases earn a total of $475 million at the box office and feature a few new scenes, including Han Solo’s dust-up with Jabba the Hutt.
Shooting begins on the first prequel, which has a $115 million budget. Most of the filming takes place in Tunisia.
1998
Lucas announces the name of the first prequel: “The Phantom Menace.” The story will take place 32 years before “Star Wars,” which is now considered Episode Four.
May 19, 1999
“The Phantom Menace” has an opening weekend of $65 million in the United States. Its total take reaches $1 billion worldwide. Many critics pan it.
The digitally animated alien Jar Jar Binks, a new character in “The Phantom Menace,” draws the scorn of critics and moviegoers. He inspires both a book and song titled “Jar Jar Binks Must Die,” and some deride the cartoonish alien as a racist caricature, which Lucas denies.
May 16, 2002
“Attack of the Clones” raids American theaters with an $80 million opening weekend. The worldwide total eventually hits $648 million.
2005
May 19: “Revenge of the Sith” grabs $108 million at its opening weekend at the U.S. box office. Worldwide tallies total $848 million at the end of its run.
July 8: Lucas officially moves Industrial Light and Magic headquarters to San Francisco’s Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio.
2008
Sept. 15: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” an animated movie, makes its U.S. debut with a $14.6 million opening weekend. Worldwide totals reach $68.7 million.
Oct. 3: “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” — a TV series — premieres on the Cartoon
Network.
2012
Sales for “Star Wars” merchandise now surpass $20 billion.
October 2012 The changing of the guard
Lucas, with plans to retire, sells Lucasfilm and his other enterprises to Walt Disney for $4 billion.
Kathleen Kennedy, a producer and eight-time Oscar nominee, is named president of Lucasfilm.
Disney announces plans for numerous “Star Wars” ventures, including Episodes 7, 8 and 9 of the “Star Wars” serial.
2014-15
Shooting for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” begins.
J.J. Abrams (of “Star Trek” fame) directs and co-writes the screenplay with Lawrence Kasdan.
Harrison Ford breaks a leg during filming when the Millennium Falcon spacecraft set falls and hits him. The production of “The Force Awakens” is delayed for two weeks until Ford can return.
Dec. 18, 2015
The Force is once again upon us, as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will make one of the most highly anticipated debuts in cinematic history.