Star Wars

Popular term for the Strategic Defense Initiative announced by US president Reagan in 1983.

Star Wars

Series of six science fiction films made in the USA 1977-83, and 1999-2005 created by George Lucas, which became some of the most popular films of all time. The original trilogy comprised Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983). The second trilogy, a prequel to the first, followed more than 20 years after the release of Star Wars. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was released in 1999, followed by Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005).

The Star Wars films are legendary in the minds of millions of fans. They are set in another part of the universe, where good is represented by the Jedi Masters, psychically trained warriors, and evil is represented by the Dark Side of the Empire. Luke Skywalker, played by US actor Mark Hamill, and his family are the focal point of the first trilogy. He is aided in his fight against the Dark Side by pilot Han Solo (US actor Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (US actor Carrie Fisher). The original film amazed audiences with its use of computer-generated special effects, and paved the way for later developments in cinematic technology.