It’s a movie that changed cinema forever–and launched a franchise that is as strong as ever. In 1977, Star Wars: A New Hope arrived in theaters, introducing the world to the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca. From there, nothing was the same. Now, over 40 years later, there are countless movies, TV shows, books, video games, toys, and anything else you could possibly want. Still, it’s fun to look back on the franchise’s humble beginnings.
To celebrate the long-running series, why not take a stroll down memory lane? Below, check out 25 behind-the-scenes photos from the film that started it all. Not only do they show how the original movie was made, but also provide some very entertaining looks at the cast before they became worldwide phenomenons.
Once you’ve relived the past, you should definitely take stock of the future. There are so many Star Wars movies and TV shows on the way. Thankfully, we’re tracking them all in this handy guide.
Image: 20th Century Fox
