STAR WARS

The Early Years

Creator and Inspiration

Star Wars was

Created by George

Lucas.

Inspired by:

Flash Gordon

Childhood Westerns

Samurai

In the WorksStar Wars was a

“Brain Toy”, as

Lucas went through

College, and filmed

American Graffiti,

and THX 1138.

Lucas finally decided

to create it after

losing Apocalypse

Now.

Finally Casting

Fan Reaction

“Instant Hit”- both Sci-Fi

fans, average

moviegoers, and

serious moviegoers

loved it.

Only people who

disliked it: Hollywood

executives, and

Trekkies.

Contagious Diffusion

Silence on the Front

From the mid 1980’s verry little Star Wars

material was produced, and it became more

cult like.

1999 The Phantom Menace was released,

causing it to explode back into pop culture

The Prequels

The Prequel saga saw

a rift form between

George Lucas and his

fan base as the Star

Wars culture

underwent

Commodification.

Examples of this Pop Culture

Jedi Census Phenomenon-2001

Ronald Reagan's Star Wars Defense System

Parodies- Weird Al, Spaceballs, Chad Vader,

Robot Chicken.

Olympics bid

Enron Scandal

501st Legion