174-548: The original Star Wars trilogy , formerly marketed as the Star Wars Trilogy (and colloquially referred to as the ' original trilogy '), is the first set of three films produced in the Star Wars franchise , an American space opera created by George Lucas . It was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by 20th Century Fox , and consists of Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of
348-581: A German military helmet . Lucas originally conceived of the Sith as a group that served the Emperor in the same way that the Schutzstaffel (SS) served Adolf Hitler ; this was condensed into one character in the form of Vader. Lucas has also drawn parallels between Palpatine and historical dictators such as Julius Caesar , Napoleon Bonaparte , and politicians like Richard Nixon . Stormtroopers borrow
522-591: A Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer , but at $ 15 an hour (equivalent to $ 151 in 2023), he could not afford to continue the training. In the mid-1990s, he bought a used Gulfstream II and asked one of his pilots, Terry Bender, to give him flying lessons. They started flying a Cessna 182 out of Jackson, Wyoming, later switching to Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey , flying a Cessna 206 , the aircraft in which he made his first solo flight . Ford's aircraft are kept at Santa Monica Airport . The Bell 407 helicopter
696-708: A gastropub located at Terminal 5 in Los Angeles International Airport . The younger son is owner of the Ludwig Clothing company and previously owned Strong Sports Gym and the Kim Sing Theater. Ford's second marriage was to screenwriter Melissa Mathison from March 1983 until their separation in 2000; they divorced in 2004. They had a son, born in 1987, and a daughter, born in 1990. Mathison died in 2015. Ford began dating actress Calista Flockhart after they met at
870-479: A pop cultural phenomenon spawning countless TV spin-offs, video games, films and a multi-merchandising empire. It was then proceeded by two installments, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), which were also both very successful, with the former's climax, where Vader is revealed as Luke's father, becoming one of the most iconic plot twists in motion picture history. The original trilogy
1044-444: A "used universe". This was in part inspired by the period films of Akira Kurosawa , which like the original Star Wars trilogy, often begin in medias res without explaining a complete backstory. Political science has been an important element of Star Wars since the franchise launched in 1977, focusing on a struggle between democracy and dictatorship. Darth Vader's design, initially inspired by Samurai armor , also incorporated
1218-434: A 10-episode adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back debuted in 1983. Billy Dee Williams joined the other two stars, reprising his role as Lando Calrissian. In 1983, Buena Vista Records released an original, 30-minute Star Wars audio drama titled Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell , written by Daley. In the 1990s, Time Warner Audio Publishing adapted several Star Wars series from Dark Horse Comics into audio dramas:
1392-557: A 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter , it was revealed that he accepted the roles in both 1923 and Shrinking despite there not being a script at the time. Ford reprised the role of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), which he stated was his last appearance as the character. The film received generally positive reviews, with many critics highlighting Ford's performance. In October 2022, Ford
1566-553: A German general who served on the snow-laden Eastern Front). Shots of the commanders looking through AT-AT walker viewscreens in The Empire Strikes Back resemble tank interiors, and space battles in the original film were based on dogfights from both world wars. The original Star Wars film was re-released theatrically in 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982. All three films were released on various home video formats, including LaserDisc and VHS , until 1996. The trilogy
1740-604: A Golden Globe for his work. Before that, Ford had passed on a role in another Stephen Gaghan -written film, that of Robert Wakefield in Traffic , which went to Michael Douglas . In 2008, Ford enjoyed success with the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull , the first Indiana Jones film in 19 years and another collaboration with Lucas and Spielberg. The film received generally positive reviews and
1914-462: A bottom," but Lucas refused. Ford's status as a leading actor was solidified with Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), an action-adventure collaboration between Lucas and Steven Spielberg that gave Ford his second franchise role as the heroic, globe-trotting archaeologist Indiana Jones . Like Star Wars , the film was massively successful; it became the highest-grossing film of the year. Spielberg
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#17327811360222088-560: A broken pelvis and broken ankle during the accident, as well as other injuries. On February 13, 2017, Ford landed an Aviat Husky at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California , on the taxiway left of runway 20L. A Boeing 737 was holding short of the runway on the taxiway when Ford overflew them. On April 24, 2020, at the Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport while piloting his Husky, Ford crossed
2262-597: A carpenter, until Lucas hired him to play Han Solo . During the development of the trilogy after the initial conception of the first film, Lucas took inspiration from Marvel Comics and the characters from the Marvel Universe who were popular in the 1970s to come up with many plot points and ideas for various designs. Thousands of actors were assessed in the search for the trilogy's main cast. The selected actors are considered by many viewers to have onscreen chemistry even though some of them were inexperienced, with
2436-411: A copyright deposit print of the original theatrical releases. By 2015, Star Wars had been transferred to a 2K scan which can be viewed by appointment. The popularity of the films have generated numerous references in popular culture works from TV series such as The Simpsons , Family Guy , South Park and Robot Chicken and films such as Clerks , Free Guy and Toy Story 2 , and in
2610-550: A disc in his back. The 40-year-old actor was forced to fly back to Los Angeles for surgery and returned six weeks later. Following his leading-man success as Indiana Jones, Ford played Rick Deckard in Ridley Scott 's dystopian science-fiction film Blade Runner (1982). Compared to his experiences on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, Ford had a difficult time with the production. He recalled to Vanity Fair , "It
2784-658: A dog named Rooster in The Secret Life of Pets 2 . With filming of a fifth Indiana Jones film delayed by a year, Ford headlined a big-budget adaptation of Jack London 's The Call of the Wild , playing prospector John Thornton. The film was released in February 2020 to a mixed critical reception and its theatrical release was shortened due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry . In 2022, Ford
2958-443: A film and made critical statements against Trump's presidential bid . For his first time ever endorsing a political candidate for office, Ford endorsed Joe Biden 's 2020 presidential campaign against Trump. He said that he wanted to "encourage people to support candidates that will support the environment" and felt that under Trump, the U.S. had "lost some of our credibility in the world". Along with Mark Hamill , Ford worked with
3132-741: A friend of Luke's absent father, Anakin Skywalker, who was Obi-Wan 's Jedi apprentice until being supposedly murdered by Vader. He tells Luke he must also become a Jedi. After discovering his family's homestead has been destroyed by the Empire, they go to the Mos Eisley Cantina and hire the smuggler Han Solo, his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca and their space freighter, the Millennium Falcon . They discover that Leia's homeworld of Alderaan has been destroyed, and are soon captured by
3306-430: A master and their apprentice. The franchise is set against a backdrop of galactic conflict involving republics and empires, such as the evil Galactic Empire . The Jedi and Sith prefer the use of a weapon called the lightsaber , a blade of plasma that can cut through virtually any surface and deflect energy bolts. The rest of the population, as well as renegades and soldiers, use plasma-powered blaster firearms . In
3480-472: A mixed reception from critics and audiences. Several Star Wars films have been produced separately from the Skywalker Saga. In 2008, Lucasfilm released the animated film The Clone Wars , which is set during the prequel trilogy and serves as the theatrical pilot of the television series of the same name . Following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, an "anthology" film series set between
3654-716: A nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a detective who envelops himself in the Amish community in the thriller Witness (1985). His other films include The Mosquito Coast (1986), Working Girl (1988), Presumed Innocent (1990), The Fugitive (1993), Sabrina (1995), The Devil's Own (1997), Air Force One (1997), Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), What Lies Beneath (2000), K-19: The Widowmaker (2002), Morning Glory (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), 42 (2013), and The Age of Adaline (2015). Ford has since starred in
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#17327811360223828-541: A runway where another aircraft was landing. According to the FAA, the two planes were about 3,600 feet from each other and there was no danger of a crash. A representative of Ford later said that he "misheard" an instruction given to him by air traffic control. Ford is vice-chair of Conservation International , an American nonprofit environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia . The organization's intent
4002-429: A sequel trilogy. This consists of The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Lucas had little direct involvement in the creation of these films. The new cast features Daisy Ridley , John Boyega , Oscar Issac , Adam Driver , Domhnall Gleeson and Andy Serkis , with the main original cast reprising their roles. Star Wars has also been spun off into films outside of
4176-572: A series of murders of Jedi Masters. The Star Wars canon fictional universe spans multiple eras, of which three are focused around each of the film trilogies. The following eras were defined in January 2021, and further refined and expanded in April 2023: The Expanded Universe of spin-off media depicts different levels of continuity, which were deemed non-canonical and rebranded as Legends on April 25, 2014, to make most subsequent works align to
4350-442: A theme for Obi-Wan Kenobi for the miniseries and Han Solo's theme for Solo: A Star Wars Story . Williams also created the main theme for Galaxy's Edge . Several other composers worked on other soundtracks, including John Powell ( Obi-Wan Kenobi ), Michael Giacchino ( Rogue One ), and Ludwig Göransson ( The Mandalorian ). The first Star Wars audio work is The Story of Star Wars , an LP using audio samples from
4524-548: A three-month affair in 1976 during the filming of Star Wars . Ford is a licensed pilot of both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. On several occasions, he has personally provided emergency helicopter services at the request of local authorities in Wyoming , in one instance rescuing a hiker overcome by dehydration. Ford began flight training in the 1960s at Wild Rose Idlewild Airport in Wild Rose, Wisconsin , flying in
4698-503: A two-page synopsis for his space opera , titled Journal of the Whills . After United Artists , Universal Studios and Disney rejected the film, 20th Century Fox decided to invest in it. Lucas felt his original story was too difficult to understand, so on April 17, 1973, he began writing a 13-page script titled The Star Wars , sharing strong similarities with Akira Kurosawa 's The Hidden Fortress (1958). By May 1974, he had expanded
4872-402: A wise Jedi knight. Between drafts, Lucas read Joseph Campbell 's The Hero with a Thousand Faces , and was surprised to find that his story "was following classical motifs." The third draft replaced (a deceased) Annikin with Ben Kenobi. Some months later, Lucas had negotiated a contract that gave him rights to two sequels. Lucas hired Alan Dean Foster , who was ghostwriting the novelization of
5046-524: Is Luke's father. Owing to financial concerns, Alan Dean Foster's sequel novel, Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1978), restricted the story to Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader. After the success of the original film, Lucas knew a sequel would be granted a reasonable budget, and hired Leigh Brackett to write it from Lucas's story. She finished a draft by early 1978, but died of cancer before Lucas was able to discuss changes he wanted her to make. His disappointment with
5220-514: Is common due to lightspeed hyperspace technology. The planets range from wealthy, planet-wide cities to deserts scarcely populated by primitive tribes. Virtually any Earth biome , along with many fictional ones, has its counterpart as a Star Wars planet which, in most cases, teem with sentient and non-sentient alien life. The franchise also makes use of other astronomical objects such as asteroid fields and nebulae . Spacecraft range from small starfighters to large capital ships, such as
5394-721: Is impossible for the Force. These superpowers are wielded by two major knightly orders at conflict with each other: the Jedi , peacekeepers of the Galactic Republic who act on the light side of the Force through non-attachment and arbitration , and the Sith , who use the dark side by manipulating fear and aggression. While Jedi Knights can be numerous, the Dark Lords of the Sith (or 'Darths') are intended to be limited to two:
Star Wars original trilogy - Misplaced Pages Continue
5568-712: Is often kept and flown in Jackson and has been used by Ford in two mountain rescues during his assigned duty time with Teton County Search and Rescue. During one of the rescues, Ford recovered a hiker who had become lost and disoriented. She boarded his helicopter and promptly vomited into one of the rescuers' caps, unaware of who the pilot was until much later; "I can't believe I barfed in Harrison Ford's helicopter!" she said later. Ford flies his de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver (N28S) more than any of his other aircraft, and has repeatedly said that he likes this aircraft and
5742-530: Is the recipient of various accolades , including the AFI Life Achievement Award , the Cecil B. DeMille Award , an Honorary César , and an Honorary Palme d'Or , in addition to an Academy Award nomination. Ford made his screen acting debut in an uncredited appearance in the film Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966) and went on to play bit parts in both films and television throughout
5916-426: Is to protect nature . Since 1992, Ford has lent his voice to a series of public service messages promoting environmental involvement for EarthShare, an American federation of environmental and conservation charities. He has acted as a spokesperson for Restore Hetch Hetchy , a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring Yosemite National Park 's Hetch Hetchy Valley to its original condition. Ford also appears in
6090-538: The Jedi Academy trilogy (1994) by Kevin J. Anderson , the 14-book Young Jedi Knights series (1995–1998) by Anderson and Rebecca Moesta , and the X-wing series (1996–2012) by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston . Del Rey took over Star Wars book publishing in 1999, releasing what would become a 19-installment novel series called The New Jedi Order (1999–2003). Written by multiple authors,
6264-534: The 2002 Golden Globe Awards . He proposed to Flockhart over Valentine's Day weekend in 2009. They married on June 15, 2010, in Santa Fe, New Mexico , where Ford was filming Cowboys & Aliens . They are the parents of a son, born in 2001, whom Flockhart had adopted before meeting Ford. Ford and Flockhart live on an 800-acre (320-hectare; 3.2-square-kilometre) ranch in Jackson, Wyoming , where he has lived since
6438-442: The 2008 series of the same name . Following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, all animated series released prior to 2014, apart from the 2008 series, were discarded from the franchise's canon . Subsequent animated series include Rebels , released in 2014; Resistance , released in 2018; and The Bad Batch , released in 2021. Several micro-series and shorts have also been released by Lucasfilm since Disney's acquisition, with
6612-537: The Dalai Lama , Dalai Lama Renaissance . Ford filmed the medical drama Extraordinary Measures in 2009 in Portland, Oregon . Released on January 22, 2010, the film also starred Brendan Fraser and Alan Ruck . Also in 2010, he co-starred in the film Morning Glory , along with Rachel McAdams , Diane Keaton and Patrick Wilson . Although the film was a disappointment at the box office, Ford's performance
6786-625: The Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In 1971, Lucas wanted to film an adaptation of the Flash Gordon serial , but could not obtain the rights. He began developing his own story inspired by the work of Edgar Rice Burroughs . Immediately after directing American Graffiti (1973), Lucas wrote
6960-463: The New Republic era, serving as the climax of the various live-action television series that began with The Mandalorian in 2019. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will direct a third film about a new Jedi Order, set fifteen years after the sequel trilogy. In January 2024, it was announced that Jon Favreau would direct a new Star Wars film, titled The Mandalorian & Grogu . In February of
7134-589: The Paramount+ western series 1923 (2022–present) and the Apple TV+ comedy series Shrinking (2023–present). Outside of acting, Ford is a licensed pilot; he has often assisted the emergency services in rescue missions near his home in Wyoming , and he chaired an aviation education program for youth from 2004 to 2009. Ford is also an environmental activist, having served as the inaugural vice chair of Conservation International since 1991. Harrison Ford
Star Wars original trilogy - Misplaced Pages Continue
7308-742: The Rebel Alliance and the tyrannical Galactic Empire , as well as the archetypical hero's journey of Luke Skywalker in his quest to become a Jedi under the tutelage of exiled Jedi Masters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda . Luke joins forces with Princess Leia , Han Solo , Chewbacca , C-3PO , R2-D2 and the Rebel Alliance in facing the Empire and the evil Sith lord Darth Vader . The original Star Wars film received widespread acclaim from critics for its storytelling, characters, John Williams' musical score and its groundbreaking visual and sound effects. The film surpassed 1975's Jaws as
7482-466: The Republic , the return of Luke as a Jedi Master (a role similar to that of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy), Luke's sister (not yet determined to be Leia), Han, Leia, R2-D2 and C-3PO . However, after beginning work on the prequel trilogy, Lucas insisted that Star Wars was meant to be a six-part series and that there would be no sequel trilogy. Lucas decided to leave the franchise in
7656-476: The Sith . Although no longer canon, the story is paralleled in The Force Awakens with Han and Leia's son Ben Solo , who becomes the evil Kylo Ren. Three series set in the prequel era were published by Scholastic for younger audiences: the 18-book Jedi Apprentice (1999–2002) chronicles the adventures of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his master Qui-Gon Jinn in the years before The Phantom Menace ;
7830-480: The Star Destroyers , as well as space stations such as the moon-sized Death Stars . Telecommunication includes two-way audio and audiovisual screens, holographic projections, and hyperspace transmission. The universe of Star Wars is generally similar to the real universe but its laws of physics are less strict allowing for more imaginative stories. One result of that is a mystical power known as
8004-565: The Thrawn trilogy, Leia considers an advantageous political marriage to Prince Isolder of the planet Hapes, but she and Han ultimately marry. Steve Perry 's Shadows of the Empire (1996), set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi , was part of a multimedia campaign that included a comic book series and video game. The novel introduced the crime lord Prince Xizor , another popular character who would appear in multiple other works. Other notable series from Bantam include
8178-673: The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in support of the Dalai Lama and an independent Tibet . In 2007, he narrated the documentary Dalai Lama Renaissance . In 2000, Ford donated $ 1000 to the presidential campaigns of Bill Bradley , Al Gore , and John McCain . In 2003, he publicly condemned the Iraq War and called for "regime change" in the United States. He also criticized Hollywood for making movies which were "more akin to video games than stories about human life and relationships", and he called for more gun control in
8352-563: The University of Southern California , licensed the Star Wars radio rights to KUSC-FM for US$ 1 . The production used John Williams's original film score, along with Ben Burtt 's sound effects. The first was written by science-fiction author Brian Daley and directed by John Madden . It was broadcast on National Public Radio in 1981, adapting the original 1977 film into 13 episodes. Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels reprised their film roles. The overwhelming success, led to
8526-481: The eponymous 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. The franchise has been expanded into various films and other media , including television series , video games , novels , comic books , theme park attractions , and themed areas , comprising an all-encompassing fictional universe . Star Wars is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The original 1977 film, retroactively subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope ,
8700-526: The highest grossing film of all time , turning science fiction films into a blockbuster genre , until it was surpassed by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982. Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back have been hailed as among the greatest and most important films of all time . With the trilogy's success, Star Wars became a pop culture phenomenon , spawning a multi-million dollar merchandising empire. All three films have been inducted by
8874-471: The 11-book Jedi Quest (2001–2004) follows Obi-Wan and his own apprentice, Anakin Skywalker in between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones ; and the 10-book The Last of the Jedi (2005–2008), set almost immediately after Revenge of the Sith , features Obi-Wan and the last few surviving Jedi. In 2019, a new prequel era novel, starring Qui-Gon and the young Obi-Wan, was published by Del Rey under
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#17327811360229048-535: The 1980s and approximately half of which he has donated as a nature reserve. They retain a base in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Ford is one of Hollywood's most private actors, guarding much of his personal life. Ford commented on his parenting choices in 2023: "I can tell you this: If I’d been less successful, I’d probably be a better parent." In her 2016 autobiography The Princess Diarist , his co-star Carrie Fisher wrote that she and Ford had
9222-535: The EU material until April 25, 2014, when the company announced all of the EU works would cease production. Existing works would no longer be considered canon to the franchise and subsequent reprints would be rebranded under the Star Wars Legends label, with downloadable content for the massively multiplayer online game The Old Republic the only Legends material to still be produced. The Star Wars canon
9396-408: The Force which is described in the original film as "an energy field created by all living things ... [that] binds the galaxy together". The field is depicted as a kind of pantheistic god. Through training and meditation, those whom "the Force is strong with" exhibit various superpowers (such as telekinesis , precognition , telepathy , and manipulation of physical energy); it is believed nothing
9570-563: The Governing Board of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), North America's oldest and largest organization devoted to the world of archaeology. Ford assists them in their mission of increasing public awareness of archaeology and preventing looting and the illegal antiquities trade . Throughout his career, Ford has received significant recognition for his work in the entertainment industry. In 1986, he
9744-497: The Jedi (1983). Beginning in medias res , the original trilogy serves as the second act of the nine-episode Skywalker Saga . It was followed by a prequel trilogy between 1999 and 2005, and a sequel trilogy between 2015 and 2019. Collectively, they are referred to as the "Skywalker Saga" to distinguish them from spin-off films set within the same universe. The films center on the Galactic Civil War between
9918-492: The Marvel magazine Pizzazz between 1977 and 1979. The 1977 installments were the first original Star Wars stories not directly adapted from the films to appear in print form, as they preceded those of the Star Wars comic series. From 1985 to 1987, the animated children's series Ewoks and Droids inspired comic series from Marvel's Star Comics line. According to Marvel Comics former Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter ,
10092-744: The Minister of Forestry was given no prior warning of questions nor the chance to explain the challenges of catching illegal loggers . Ford was provided an audience with the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono , during which he expressed concerns regarding Indonesia's environmental degradation and the government efforts to address climate change . In response, the President explained Indonesia's commitment to preserving its oceans and forests. In 2019, on behalf of Conservation International, Ford gave an impassioned speech during
10266-572: The Rebel forces in pieces, Leia struggling as a queen, and Luke walking off alone (as in a Spaghetti Western )—while Lucas wanted a happier ending, partly to encourage toy sales. This led to tension between the two, resulting in Kurtz leaving the production. The Star Wars trilogy, unlike science fiction that features sleek and futuristic settings, portrays the galaxy as dirty and grimy in Lucas's concept of
10440-494: The Rebellion's most significant victories. The film's unanticipated success led Lucas to make it the basis of an elaborate serial . With the backstory he created for the sequel, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies, with the original film given the subtitle Episode IV – A New Hope to establish it as the first part of the second trilogy. The first sequel, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back ,
10614-511: The Rebels lead an attack on the second Death Star, Luke engages Vader in a lightsaber duel as the Emperor watches; both Sith Lords intend to turn Luke to the dark side and take him as their apprentice. Ford had originally not signed on to appear in a second sequel, but was convinced to return under the condition that his character would die. Kurtz wanted a bittersweet and nuanced ending outlined with Lucas that not only saw Han dead, but also depicted
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#173278113602210788-795: The Rockies (2009), Flying the Feathered Edge: The Bob Hoover Project (2014), and Living in the Age of Airplanes (2015). Ford is an honorary board member of the humanitarian aviation organization Wings of Hope , and is known for having made several trips to Washington, D.C., to fight for pilots' rights. He has also donated substantial funds to aerobatic champion Sean Tucker 's charitable program, The Bob Hoover Academy (named after legendary aviator Bob Hoover ), which educates at-risk teens in central California and teaches them how to fly. On August 22, 1987, Ford
10962-482: The Russian Empire. When asked in which religion he and his brother were raised, Ford jokingly responded " Democrat " and more seriously stated that they were raised to be "liberals of every stripe". When asked about what influence his Jewish and Irish Catholic ancestry may have had on him, he quipped, "As a man I've always felt Irish, as an actor I've always felt Jewish." Ford was a Boy Scout , achieving
11136-410: The Skywalker Saga, numerous TV spin-offs like Star Wars: The Clone Wars , The Mandalorian and other upcoming live-action series for Disney+, as well as hundreds of video games , books , comics and theme park attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World . Star Wars Star Wars is an American epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas , which began with
11310-473: The U.S. National Film Registry , as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The Empire Strikes Back was selected in 2010, and Return of the Jedi was selected in 2021. 35 mm reels of the 1997 Special Editions were the versions initially presented for preservation because of the difficulty of transferring from the original prints, but it was later revealed that the Library possessed
11484-629: The United Nations' Climate Action Summit in New York on the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and its effect on climate change for the rest of the world. Ford urged his audience to listen to 'angry young people' trying to make a difference in the situation, emphasizing, "The most important thing we can do for them is to get the hell out of their way." Like his parents, Ford is a lifelong Democrat . On September 7, 1995, Ford testified before
11658-431: The United States and $ 291 million worldwide. Ford served as an executive producer on K-19: The Widowmaker and Extraordinary Measures , both of which were based on true events. In 2004, Ford declined a chance to star in the thriller Syriana , later commenting that "I didn't feel strongly enough about the truth of the material and I think I made a mistake." The role went to George Clooney , who won an Oscar and
11832-466: The United States. In 2009, Ford signed a petition calling for the release of film director Roman Polanski , who had been arrested in Switzerland in relation to his 1977 charge for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl . After Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said his favorite role of Ford's was Air Force One because he "stood up for America", Ford responded that it was just
12006-490: The [merchandising rights] that came later, mind you; just the sequel rights. And Fox would get a first opportunity and last refusal right to make the movie." Lucas was offered $ 50,000 to write, another $ 50,000 to produce, and $ 50,000 to direct the film; his directing compensation was later increased to $ 100,000. He also negotiated the sequel rights and ownership of 40% of the merchandising profits. American Graffiti cast member Harrison Ford had given up on acting to try to become
12180-450: The action-adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). He played the character in four additional sequels over the next four decades and also starred as Rick Deckard in the science fiction film Blade Runner (1982) and its sequel Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and portrayed Jack Ryan in the spy thriller films Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994). Ford's on-screen career spans seven decades. He received
12354-727: The announcement. Since the new canon has been introduced, there has been a multitude of pieces of Expanded Universe continuity that have become a part of canon. Star Wars in print predates the release of the first film, with the November 1976 novelization of Star Wars , initially subtitled " From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker ". Credited to Lucas, it was ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster . The first "Expanded Universe" story appeared in Marvel Comics ' Star Wars #7 in January 1978 (the first six issues being an adaptation of
12528-417: The anti-Trump Republican group The Lincoln Project to produce and narrate a 2020 election ad attacking Trump's disparaging of Anthony Fauci . On November 2, 2024, he endorsed Kamala Harris 's 2024 presidential campaign . Following on his success portraying the archaeologist Indiana Jones , Ford also plays a part in supporting the work of professional archaeologists . He serves as a General Trustee on
12702-517: The backstory between Anakin, Obi-Wan, and the Emperor. With this new backstory in place, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies, designating the first sequel Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back in the next draft. Lawrence Kasdan , who had just completed writing Raiders of the Lost Ark , was hired to write the next drafts, and given additional input from director Irvin Kershner . Kasdan, Kershner, and producer Gary Kurtz saw
12876-478: The buddy-comedy western The Frisco Kid (1979), playing a bank robber with a heart of gold. Ford returned to star in the successful Star Wars sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983), as well as the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978). Ford wanted Lucas to kill off Han Solo at the end of Return of the Jedi , saying, "That would have given the whole film
13050-484: The combined box office revenue of the films equate to over US$ 10 billion, making Star Wars the third-highest-grossing film franchise of all time. The Star Wars franchise depicts the adventures of characters "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" across multiple fictional eras , in which humans and many species of aliens (often humanoid ) co-exist with droids , which may be programmed for personal assistance or battle. Space travel between planets
13224-493: The country (including New York and Los Angeles ). Further changes to all three films were made for a DVD release in 2004, intended to bring the films into greater continuity with the prequels. The films were re-released again in 2006 with bonus discs of the original versions of the films (transferred from the 1993 LaserDiscs). In 2011, both together and separate prequel and original trilogy box sets were released on Blu-ray , all including another round of changes and additions. In
13398-468: The crash of a Bell 206L4 LongRanger helicopter. The NTSB accident report states that Ford was piloting the aircraft over the Lake Piru riverbed near Santa Clarita, California , on a routine training flight. While making his second attempt at an autorotation with powered recovery, the aircraft was unable to recover power after the sudden drop in altitude. It landed hard and began skidding forward in
13572-483: The crew needing to shoot Ford from the waist up for a short time until he recovered. Ford made his return to filming in mid-August, after a two-month layoff as he recovered from his injury. Ford's character was killed off in The Force Awakens , but it was subsequently announced, via a casting call, that Ford would return in some capacity as Solo in Episode VIII . In February 2016, when the cast for Episode VIII
13746-582: The decade, such as The Fugitive (1993), The Devil's Own (1997), and Air Force One (1997). For his performance in The Fugitive , which co-starred Tommy Lee Jones , Ford received some of the best reviews of his career, including from Roger Ebert , who concluded that, "Ford is once again the great modern movie everyman. As an actor, nothing he does seems merely for show, and in the face of this melodramatic material he deliberately plays down, lays low, gets on with business instead of trying to exploit
13920-550: The destruction of the Death Star, the Empire forces the Rebel Alliance to evacuate its secret base on Hoth . Instructed by Obi-Wan's spirit, Luke travels to the swamp world of Dagobah to find the Jedi Master Yoda in hiding. Luke's Jedi training is interrupted by Vader, who lures him into a trap by capturing Han and Leia at Cloud City , governed by Han's old friend Lando . During a fierce duel, Vader reveals that he
14094-485: The documentary series Years of Living Dangerously , which reports on people affected by and seeking solutions to climate change. In 1993, the arachnologist Norman Platnick named a new species of spider Calponia harrisonfordi , and in 2002 the entomologist Edward O. Wilson named a new ant species Pheidole harrisonfordi (in recognition of Harrison's work as Vice Chairman of Conservation International ). The Peruvian snake species Tachymenoides harrisonfordi
14268-603: The drama in meaningless acting flourishes." Ford played more straight dramatic roles in Presumed Innocent (1990) and Regarding Henry (1991), and another romantic lead role in Sabrina (1995), a remake of the classic 1954 film of the same name. Ford established working relationships with many well-regarded directors during this time, including Weir, Alan J. Pakula , Mike Nichols , Phillip Noyce , and Sydney Pollack , collaborating twice with each of them. This
14442-594: The droid R2-D2 will escape with stolen Imperial blueprints for an armored space station , the Death Star , and a holographic message for the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi , who has been living in exile on Tatooine. Along with C-3PO , R2-D2 falls under the ownership of Luke Skywalker, a farmboy who has been raised by his aunt and uncle. Luke helps the droids locate Obi-Wan , now a solitary old hermit known as Ben Kenobi. He reveals himself as
14616-416: The earlier animated series falling under Disney's "Vintage" collection of Star Wars content. The Star Wars franchise includes several live-action series. The first series, The Mandalorian , was released in 2019 for the streaming service Disney+ and is set between the original and sequel trilogies of the Skywalker Saga. Due to its success, the series spawned multiple live-action spin-offs set during
14790-528: The early 2010s, 3D releases were planned for the then-six-film franchise. Disney ultimately decided in 2013, after acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012, to cancel the remaining releases to focus on Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. In 2019, Kathleen Kennedy , president of Lucasfilm since the 2012 acquisition, stated that she would not make alterations to Lucas's original trilogy, because "those will always remain his." While promoting The Rise of Skywalker , director J. J. Abrams expressed his hopes that
14964-399: The episodic films, The Clone Wars film , and television series . From 1976 to 2014, the term Expanded Universe (EU) was an umbrella term for all officially licensed Star Wars storytelling material set outside the events depicted within the theatrical films, including novels, comics, and video games. Lucasfilm maintained internal continuity between the films and television content and
15138-495: The evil Sith lord Palpatine (Darth Sidious). The original trilogy depicts the heroic development of Luke Skywalker as a Jedi and his fight against Palpatine's Galactic Empire alongside his sister, Leia . The prequels tell the tragic backstory of their father, Anakin , who is corrupted by Palpatine and becomes Darth Vader . The sequels follow the conflict between Leia's son, Ben Solo , and Luke and Leia's protegé, Rey , and their eventual alliance against Palpatine after
15312-404: The fall of the Empire. In 1971, George Lucas wanted to film an adaptation of the Flash Gordon serial , but could not obtain the rights, so he began developing his own space opera . After directing American Graffiti (1973), he wrote a two-page synopsis, which 20th Century Fox decided to invest in. By 1974, he had expanded the story into the first draft of a screenplay. Fox expected
15486-404: The fan-created " Despecialized Editions " of the films, while the other party had recalled the current official version. It was initially unclear whether the first six films of the Star Wars franchise would be available on Disney+ upon the service's launch, as TBS held streaming rights through 2024 as part of its cable rights to the franchise. However, on April 11, 2019, it was announced that
15660-546: The film 42 was praised by many critics and garnered Ford a nomination as best supporting actor for the Satellite Awards . In 2014, he appeared in The Expendables 3 , and the following year, co-starred with Blake Lively in the romantic drama The Age of Adaline to positive reviews. Ford reprised the role of Han Solo in the long-awaited Star Wars sequel Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), which
15834-446: The film and its merchandise sales led Lucas to make Star Wars the basis of an elaborate film serial , and use the profits to finance his filmmaking center, Skywalker Ranch . After the release of the first sequel, the original film was subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope in the screenplay released in the 1979 book The Art of Star Wars and for all subsequent rereleases beginning with a theatrical rerelease in 1981. Three years after
16008-533: The film as a more serious and adult story, and developed the sequel from the light adventure roots of the first film. About a year after Han's capture, Luke joins Leia and Lando in a rescue attempt to save him from the gangster Jabba the Hutt . Afterward, Luke returns to Dagobah to complete his Jedi training, only to find Yoda on his deathbed. In his last words, Yoda confirms the truth about Luke's father, and that Luke must confront Vader again to complete his training. As
16182-412: The film business and told Demy to hire a more experienced actor. The part eventually went to Gary Lockwood . Ford later commented that the experience had been nevertheless a positive one because Demy was the first to show such faith in him. Not happy with the roles offered to him, Ford became a self-taught professional carpenter to support his then-wife and two young sons. Clients at this time included
16356-479: The film would be of limited financial success, and so it was given a relatively low budget, with production being moved to Elstree Studios in England to help save on cost. Star Wars was released on May 25, 1977, and first subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope in the 1979 book The Art of Star Wars . The film's success led Lucas to make it the basis of an elaborate film serial . With the backstory he created for
16530-599: The film), followed by Foster's sequel novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye the following month. After penning the novelization of the original film, Foster followed it with the sequel Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1978). The novelizations of The Empire Strikes Back (1980) by Donald F. Glut and Return of the Jedi (1983) by James Kahn followed, as well as The Han Solo Adventures trilogy (1979–1980) by Brian Daley , and The Adventures of Lando Calrissian trilogy (1983) by L. Neil Smith . Timothy Zahn 's bestselling Thrawn trilogy (1991–1993) reignited interest in
16704-401: The films would be available at launch. The original Star Wars film was released in the summer of 1977 to critical acclaim and was a huge summer blockbuster , surpassing Jaws (1975), until 1982 when it was surpassed by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial . The following year, it won six out of its eleven nominations at the 50th Academy Awards . The success of the first film led to it becoming
16878-433: The first draft may have made him consider new directions. Lucas penned the next draft, the first screenplay to feature episodic numbering for a Star Wars story. Lucas found this draft enjoyable to write, as opposed to the yearlong struggle writing the first film, and quickly wrote two more in April 1978. The plot twist of Vader being Luke's father had drastic effects on the series. After writing these drafts, Lucas fleshed out
17052-506: The first film , to write them—with the main creative restriction that they could be filmed on a low budget. By 1976, a fourth draft had been prepared for principal photography. The film was titled The Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars . During production, Lucas changed Luke's name to Skywalker and shortened the title to The Star Wars , and finally just Star Wars . At that point, Lucas
17226-538: The first student voice broadcast on his high school's new radio station, WMTH , and he was its first sportscaster during his senior year. He attended Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin , where he was a philosophy major and a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. A self-described "late bloomer", Ford took a drama class in the final quarter of his senior year to get over his shyness and became fascinated with acting. Ford
17400-532: The franchise and introduced the popular characters Grand Admiral Thrawn , Mara Jade , Talon Karrde , and Gilad Pellaeon . The first novel, Heir to the Empire , reached #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list , and the series finds Luke, Leia, and Han facing off against tactical genius Thrawn, who is plotting to retake the galaxy for the Empire. In The Courtship of Princess Leia (1994) by Dave Wolverton , set immediately before
17574-404: The franchise as "the tragedy of Darth Vader". Prior to releasing the original 1977 film, and made possible by its success, Lucas planned "three trilogies of nine films". However, he announced to Time in 1978 that he planned "10 sequels". He confirmed that he had outlined the prequels and sequels in 1981. At various stages of development, the sequel trilogy was to focus on the rebuilding of
17748-446: The franchise. This led to a sequel trilogy , consisting of Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015), Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017), and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). All nine films, collectively referred to as the " Skywalker Saga ", were nominated for Academy Awards , with wins going to the first two releases. Together with the theatrical live action "anthology" films Rogue One (2016) and Solo (2018),
17922-444: The galaxy from the Empire. The sequels were self-financed by Lucasfilm , and generally advertised without the episodic number distinction present in their opening crawls . A Rebel spaceship is intercepted by the Empire above the desert planet of Tatooine . Aboard, the deadliest Imperial sith warlord Darth Vader and his stormtroopers capture Princess Leia Organa , a secret member of the Rebellion. Before her capture, Leia makes sure
18096-640: The gap between the High Republic publishing initiative and the events of The Acolyte . Titled Star Wars: The Acolyte – Kelnacca , the one-shot was written by High Republic writer Cavan Scott with art by Marika Cresta. It focuses on Kelnacca, the Wookiee Jedi introduced in The Acolyte . John Williams composed the soundtracks for the nine episodic films. He stated he would retire from the franchise with The Rise of Skywalker , but he composed
18270-483: The hands of other filmmakers, announcing in January 2012 that he would make no more Star Wars films. That October, the Walt Disney Company agreed to buy Lucasfilm and announced that Episode VII would be released in 2015. The co-chairman of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy , became president and served as executive producer of new Star Wars feature films. Lucas provided Kennedy his story treatments for
18444-505: The late 1960s and early 1970s. After breakthrough supporting roles in American Graffiti (1973) and The Conversation (1974), he gained worldwide fame for his starring role as Han Solo in the epic space opera film Star Wars (1977), a part he reprised in four sequels over the next four decades. Ford is also known for his portrayal of the titular character in the popular media franchise Indiana Jones , beginning with
18618-418: The late 1980s and early 1990s, including the ability to create computer-generated imagery (CGI), inspired Lucas to consider that it might be possible to revisit his saga. In 1989, Lucas stated that the prequels would be "unbelievably expensive". In 1992, he acknowledged that he had plans to create the prequel trilogy. A theatrical rerelease of the original trilogy in 1997 " updated " the 20-year-old films with
18792-433: The late 1990s, Ford started appearing in several critically derided and commercially disappointing films that failed to match his earlier successes, including Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), Random Hearts (1999), K-19: The Widowmaker (2002), Hollywood Homicide (2003), Firewall (2006) and Extraordinary Measures (2010). One exception was What Lies Beneath (2000), which grossed over $ 155 million in
18966-551: The literary character created by Tom Clancy : Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994), both co-starring Anne Archer and James Earl Jones . Ford took over the role from Alec Baldwin , who had played Ryan in The Hunt for Red October (1990). This led to long-lasting resentment from Baldwin, who said that he had wanted to reprise the role but Ford had negotiated with Paramount behind his back. Ford played leading roles in other action-based thrillers throughout
19140-579: The loose gravel before flipping onto its side. Neither Ford nor the instructor pilot suffered any injuries, though the helicopter was seriously damaged. On March 5, 2015, Ford's plane, believed to be a Ryan PT-22 Recruit , made an emergency landing on the Penmar Golf Course in Venice, California after it lost engine power. He was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center , where he was reported to be in fair to moderate condition. Ford suffered
19314-613: The main episodes of the Skywalker Saga entered development in parallel with the production of the sequel trilogy, described by Disney chief financial officer Jay Rasulo as origin stories . The first film released was 2016's Rogue One , which tells the story of the rebels who steal the plans for the Death Star , the Galactic Empire 's superweapon, just before the events of the original Star Wars film. A second film, 2018's Solo , tells Han Solo's backstory, set 10 years prior to A New Hope . The series Obi-Wan Kenobi
19488-490: The movie material, while others rely heavily on the non-canonical Expanded Universe (rebranded as Star Wars Legends and removed from the canon in 2014). Star Wars games have gone through three significant development eras, marked by a change in leadership among the developers: the early licensed games, those developed after the creation of LucasArts, and those created after the closure of the Lucasfilm division by Disney and
19662-441: The name of World War I "shock" troopers , Imperial officers wear uniforms resembling those of German forces during World War II , and political and security officers resemble the black-clad SS down to the stylized silver death's head on their caps. World War II terms were used for names in the films, e.g. the planets Kessel (a term that refers to a group of encircled forces ) and Hoth (after Hermann Hoth ,
19836-506: The nine films of which are collectively referred to as the " Skywalker Saga ". The saga was produced non-chronologically, beginning in media res with the release of the original trilogy between 1977 and 1983. This was followed by the prequel trilogy, released between 1999 and 2005, and the sequel trilogy, released between 2015 and 2019. Each trilogy focuses on a generation of the Force -sensitive Skywalker family and their struggle against
20010-451: The nine-film series plotted, but due to the stress of producing the original trilogy, he had decided to cancel further sequels by 1981. In 1983, Lucas explained that "There was never a script completed that had the entire story as it exists now ... As the stories unfolded, I would take certain ideas and save them ... I kept taking out all the good parts, and I just kept telling myself I would make other movies someday." Technical advances in
20184-498: The notable exceptions of Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing . Some, like Ford, have called the dialogue in the scripts clunky, and several lines were unscripted; some of these are considered the most memorable moments in the films. Star Wars was released on May 25, 1977; unlikely hero Luke Skywalker is drawn into a galactic conflict between the Empire and Rebel Alliance by two droids and an old Jedi Knight; he helps make one of
20358-651: The original Star Wars trilogy led to two more trilogies, both financially successful, with individual installments receiving mixed to positive reviews. The prequel trilogy consists of The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005), all directed by George Lucas. The prequels feature Baker, Daniels, Oz, Mayhew and McDiarmid reprising their roles, alongside Ewan McGregor , Natalie Portman , Hayden Christensen , Liam Neeson and Samuel L. Jackson . After completing his six-film saga, Lucas stated that there would be no further sequels. In 2012, Disney purchased Lucasfilm and produced
20532-473: The original film and a new narration to retell the story, released in 1977. Most later printed novels were adapted into audio novels, usually released on cassette tape and re-released on CD. As of 2019, audio-only novels have been released not directly based on printed media. Radio adaptations of the films were also produced. Lucas, a fan of the NPR-affiliated campus radio station of his alma mater
20706-408: The original versions of the trilogy would be officially released, but said that the powers that be had told him "that that's not necessarily possible". He further said that when making The Force Awakens , he had gotten into a disagreement about the dialogue between Vader and the Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back before realizing that different versions of the film were being referred to; he cited
20880-497: The outer reaches of the galaxy, crime syndicates such as the Hutt cartel are dominant. Bounty hunters are often employed by both gangsters and governments, while illicit activities include smuggling and slavery . The combination of science fiction and fantasy elements makes Star Wars a very universal franchise, capable of telling stories of various genres. The Star Wars film series centers around three sets of trilogies,
21054-479: The planet-destroying Death Star itself. While Obi-Wan disables its tractor beam , Luke and Han rescue the captive Princess Leia, passing through incredible dangers. Finally, they deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance with the hope of exploiting a weakness, and launch an attack on the Death Star. The first rough draft, titled The Star Wars , introduced "the Force" and the young hero Luke Starkiller. Annikin [ sic ] appeared as Luke's father,
21228-825: The political lexicon, as in Ted Kennedy 's nickname for Ronald Reagan 's Strategic Defense Initiative . The trilogy's artistic and technological achievements have been influential on other filmmakers, including Ridley Scott , James Cameron , David Fincher , Joss Whedon , Peter Jackson and Christopher Nolan , as well as sequel trilogy director J. J. Abrams. The trilogy's impact has led to future careers of its stars including Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), James Earl Jones (Darth Vader), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Warwick Davis (Wicket W. Warrick). The success and large impact of
21402-733: The position for another two years. He has flown over 280 children as part of the Young Eagles program, usually in his DHC-2 Beaver, which can seat the actor and five children. Ford stepped down as program chairman in 2009 and was replaced by Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles . He is involved with the EAA chapter in Driggs, Idaho , just over the Teton Range from Jackson, Wyoming. On July 28, 2016, Ford flew
21576-427: The romantic male lead opposite Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver in the comedy-drama Working Girl (1988). Witness and The Mosquito Coast allowed Ford to explore his potential as a dramatic actor, and both performances were widely acclaimed. Ford later recalled that working with director Peter Weir on Witness and The Mosquito Coast were two of the best experiences of his career. In late 1991, Ford
21750-431: The same fictional era, including The Book of Boba Fett , released in 2021; Ahsoka , released in 2023; and the upcoming Skeleton Crew . These series follow the plight of the New Republic and its allies against the remnants of the fallen Galactic Empire . A story focused on Obi-Wan Kenobi was planned as a film before becoming a live-action series after the box office failure of Solo in 2018. The series
21924-502: The same year, Bob Iger announced that the film would be the first release of the next slate of Star Wars movies. The Mandalorian & Grogu is scheduled for release on May 22, 2026. Lucasfilm has a number of Star Wars films in various stages of development, including: The first two animated series, Droids and Ewoks , were produced in the 1980s. They were followed by the Clone Wars animated micro-series in 2003 and
22098-402: The script into the first draft of a screenplay, adding elements such as the Sith and the Death Star , but found that the script had grown too long for a single film. Subsequent drafts evolved into the script of the original film. Lucas negotiated to retain the sequel rights. Tom Pollock , then Lucas's lawyer, writes: "We came to an agreement that George would retain the sequel rights. Not all
22272-581: The second-highest rank of Life Scout. He worked at Napowan Adventure Base Scout Camp as a counselor for the Reptile Study merit badge. Because of this, he and director Steven Spielberg later decided to depict the young Indiana Jones as a Life Scout in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Ford graduated in 1960 from Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois . His voice was
22446-460: The sequel, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back was released on May 21, 1980, also achieving wide financial and critical success. The final film in the trilogy, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi , was released on May 25, 1983. According to producer Gary Kurtz, loose plans for a prequel trilogy were developed during the outlining of the original two films. In 1980, Lucas confirmed that he had
22620-746: The sequels during the 2012 sale, but in 2015 it was revealed Lucas's sequel outline had been discarded. The sequel trilogy also meant the end of the Star Wars Expanded Universe stories, which were discarded from canon to give "maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and discovery for the audience." Episode VII: The Force Awakens was released on December 16, 2015, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi on December 13, 2017, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker on December 18, 2019, in many countries. The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi were both critical and box office successes. Episode IX received
22794-467: The series was set 25 to 30 years after the original films and introduced the Yuuzhan Vong, a powerful alien race attempting to invade and conquer the entire galaxy. The bestselling multi-author series Legacy of the Force (2006–2008) chronicles the crossover of Han and Leia's son Jacen Solo to the dark side of the Force; among his evil deeds, he kills Luke's wife Mara Jade as a sacrifice to join
22968-551: The sound of its Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine. According to Ford, it had been flown in the CIA's Air America operations and was riddled with bullet holes that had to be patched up. In March 2004, Ford officially became chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program, founded by then-EAA president Tom Poberezny and fellow actor-pilot Cliff Robertson . Ford
23142-443: The strong sales of Star Wars comics saved Marvel financially in 1977 and 1978. Marvel's Star Wars series was one of the industry's top selling titles in 1979 and 1980. The only downside for Marvel was that the 100,000 copy sales quota was surpassed quickly, allowing Lippincott to renegotiate the royalty arrangements from a position of strength. In the late 1980s, Marvel dropped a new Star Wars comic it had in development, which
23316-417: The style of CGI envisioned for the new trilogy. Episode I: The Phantom Menace was released on May 19, 1999, Episode II: Attack of the Clones on May 16, 2002, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on May 19, 2005. The first two films were met with mixed reviews, with the third being received somewhat more positively. Together with the original trilogy, Lucas has referred to the first six episodic films of
23490-457: The three-part Dark Empire saga, Tales of the Jedi , Dark Lords of the Sith , the Dark Forces trilogy, and Crimson Empire (1998). Return of the Jedi was adapted into 6-episodes in 1996, featuring Daniels. The Star Wars franchise has spawned over one hundred computer, video, and board games, dating back to some of the earliest home consoles . Some are based directly on
23664-490: The title Star Wars: Master and Apprentice . Although Thrawn had been designated a Legends character in 2014, he was reintroduced into the canon in 2016 for the third season of the Rebels animated series, with Zahn returning to write more novels based on the character and set in the new canon. Marvel Comics published a Star Wars comic book series from 1977 to 1986. Original Star Wars comics were serialized in
23838-503: The transfer of the license to Electronic Arts . Harrison Ford Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor. Regarded as a cinematic cultural icon , he has been a leading man in films of several genres and starred in many major box-office successes, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. His films have grossed more than $ 5.4 billion in North America and more than $ 9.3 billion worldwide. Ford
24012-526: The two millionth Young Eagle at the EAA AirVenture convention, making it the most successful aviation-youth introduction program in history. As of 2009, Ford appears in Internet advertisements for General Aviation Serves America, a campaign by the advocacy group Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). He has also appeared in several independent aviation documentaries, including Wings Over
24186-620: The video game Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception for the PlayStation 3 . 2013 began a trend that saw Ford accepting more diverse supporting roles. That year, he co-starred in the corporate espionage thriller Paranoia with Liam Hemsworth and Gary Oldman , whom he had previously worked with in Air Force One , and also appeared in Ender's Game , 42 and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues . His performance as Branch Rickey in
24360-556: The western Journey to Shiloh (1968) and had an uncredited, non-speaking role in Michelangelo Antonioni 's 1970 film Zabriskie Point as an arrested student protester. In 1968, he also worked as a camera operator for one of the Doors ' tours. French filmmaker Jacques Demy chose Ford for the lead role of his first American film, Model Shop (1969), but the head of Columbia Pictures thought Ford had "no future" in
24534-554: The writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne , who lived on the beach at Malibu . Ford appears in the documentary Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold . He and his wife became friends of the writers. Casting director and fledgling producer Fred Roos championed the young Ford and secured him an audition with George Lucas for the role of Bob Falfa, which Ford went on to play in American Graffiti (1973). Ford's relationship with Lucas profoundly affected his career later. After director Francis Ford Coppola 's film The Godfather
24708-624: Was expelled from college for plagiarism four days before graduation . In 1964, after a season of summer stock with the Belfry Players in Wisconsin, Ford traveled to Los Angeles and eventually signed a contract with Columbia Pictures ' new talent program. His first known role was an uncredited one as a bellhop in Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966). There is little record of his non-speaking (or " extra ") roles in film. Ford
24882-501: Was a long slog. I didn't really find it that physically difficult—I thought it was mentally difficult." Ford and Scott also had differing views on the nature of his character, Deckard, that persist decades later. While not initially a success, Blade Runner became a cult classic and one of Ford's most highly regarded films. Ford proved his versatility throughout the 1980s with dramatic parts in films such as Witness (1985), The Mosquito Coast (1986), and Frantic (1988), as well as
25056-516: Was a success, he hired Ford to expand his office and gave him small roles in his next two films, The Conversation (1974) and Apocalypse Now (1979); in the latter film, Ford played an army colonel named "G. Lucas". Ford's work in American Graffiti eventually landed him his first starring film role, when Lucas hired him to read lines for actors auditioning for roles in Lucas's upcoming epic space-opera film Star Wars (1977). Lucas
25230-534: Was announced in January 2014 that in 2015 the Star Wars comics license would return to Marvel Comics, whose parent company, Marvel Entertainment , Disney had purchased in 2009. Launched in 2015, the first three publications were titled Star Wars , Darth Vader , and the miniseries Princess Leia . First announced as Project Luminous at Star Wars Celebration in April 2019, the Star Wars: The High Republic publishing initiative
25404-568: Was asked to take the position by Greg Anderson, Senior Vice President of the EAA at the time, to replace General Chuck Yeager , who was vacating the post that he had held for many years. Ford at first was hesitant, but later accepted the offer and has made appearances with the Young Eagles at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh gathering at Oshkosh , Wisconsin, for two years. In July 2005, at the gathering in Oshkosh, Ford agreed to accept
25578-470: Was at the bottom of the hiring list, having offended producer Jerry Tokofsky . According to one anecdote, Tokofsky told Ford that when actor Tony Curtis delivered a bag of groceries, he could tell that Curtis was a movie star whereas Ford wasn't; Ford immediately retorted that if Curtis was truly a talented actor, he would've delivered them like a bellhop. Ford was apparently fired soon after. His speaking roles continued next with Luv (1967), though he
25752-546: Was born at the Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois , on July 13, 1942, to former radio actress Dorothy (née Nidelman) and advertising executive and former actor John William "Christopher" Ford. His younger brother, Terence, was born in 1945. Their father was a Catholic of Irish descent , while their mother was an Ashkenazi Jew whose parents were emigrants from Minsk , Belarus, then in
25926-691: Was cast as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in the 2025 superhero films Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* , set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , replacing William Hurt , who played the character in previous MCU films from 2008 to 2021 before his death. Ford has been married three times and has four biological children and one adopted child. He was first married to Mary Marquardt from 1964 until their divorce in 1979. They had two sons, born in 1966 and 1969. The older son co-owns Ford's Filling Station,
26100-628: Was cast to star alongside Helen Mirren in the Paramount+ western drama series 1923 . The two had previously starred together 36 years earlier in The Mosquito Coast . The series premiered in December 2022 to positive reviews, and it is set to run for a total of two seasons. That same year, it was announced that Ford would star in the Apple TV+ comedy drama series Shrinking . The series premiered in January 2023 to positive reviews, with Ford receiving praise for his performance. In
26274-654: Was confirmed, it was indicated that Ford would not reprise his role in the film after all. When Ford was asked whether Solo could come back in "some form", he replied, "Anything is possible in space." He eventually made an uncredited appearance as a vision in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). On February 26, 2015, Alcon Entertainment announced Ford would reprise his role as Rick Deckard in Denis Villeneuve 's science fiction sequel film Blade Runner 2049 . The film, and Ford's performance,
26448-490: Was eventually won over by Ford's performance during these line reads and cast him as Han Solo . Star Wars became one of the most successful and groundbreaking films of all time, and brought Ford, and his co-stars Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher , widespread recognition. Ford began to be cast in bigger roles in films throughout the late 1970s, including Heroes (1977), Force 10 from Navarone (1978) and Hanover Street (1979). He also co-starred alongside Gene Wilder in
26622-479: Was followed by the sequels Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), forming the original Star Wars trilogy . Lucas later returned to the series to write and direct a prequel trilogy , consisting of Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). In 2012, Lucas sold his production company to Disney , relinquishing his ownership of
26796-468: Was highly successful, like its predecessors. During filming on June 11, 2014, Ford suffered what was said to be a fractured ankle when a hydraulic door fell on him. He was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford , England, for treatment. Ford's son Ben released details on his father's injury, saying that his ankle would likely need a plate and screws, and that filming could be altered slightly, with
26970-623: Was interested in casting Ford from the beginning, but Lucas was not, having already worked with him in American Graffiti and Star Wars . Lucas relented after Tom Selleck was unable to accept. Ford went on to reprise the role throughout the rest of the decade in the prequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and the sequel Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). During the June 1983 filming of Temple of Doom in London, Ford herniated
27144-624: Was named for Ford in 2023. In September 2013, Ford, while filming an environmental documentary in Indonesia , interviewed the Indonesian Forestry Minister, Zulkifli Hasan . After the interview, Ford and his crew were accused of "harassing state institutions" and publicly threatened with deportation . Questions within the interview concerned the Tesso Nilo National Park , Sumatra . It was alleged
27318-474: Was nominated for Best Actor at the 58th Academy Awards for his performance in Witness , a role for which he also received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations in the same category. Three additional Golden Globe nominations went to Ford in 1987 , 1994 and 1996 for his performances in The Mosquito Coast , The Fugitive and Sabrina . In 2000, he was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award from
27492-461: Was not expecting the film to warrant full-scale sequels. The fourth draft of the script underwent subtle changes to become a self-contained story ending with the destruction of the Empire in the Death Star. The intention was that if the film was successful, Lucas could adapt Foster's novels into low-budget sequels. By that point, Lucas had developed a tentative backstory to aid in developing the saga. Star Wars exceeded all expectations. The success of
27666-411: Was originally planned as a film, but changed to a miniseries due to Solo underperforming at the box office. In April 2023, three new Star Wars films were announced to be set within different eras of the franchise. An untitled film written and directed by James Mangold will be set during the "dawn of the Jedi". Dave Filoni will direct a film set between the original and sequel trilogies during
27840-534: Was picked up by Dark Horse Comics and published as the popular Dark Empire series (1991–1995). Dark Horse subsequently launched dozens of series set after the original film trilogy, including Tales of the Jedi (1993–1998), X-wing Rogue Squadron (1995–1998), Star Wars: Republic (1998–2006), Star Wars Tales (1999–2005), Star Wars: Empire (2002–2006), and Knights of the Old Republic (2006–2010). After Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm, it
28014-421: Was praised for its groundbreaking visual and sound effects, John Williams' music, writing, characters and concept. Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back are considered by many to be among the greatest movies ever made , while Return of the Jedi was well-received but not considered to be on par with its predecessors. In 1989, the Library of Congress selected the original Star Wars film for preservation in
28188-542: Was released on Disney+ in 2022 and is set between the prequel and original trilogy films. It was followed by the live-action series Andor in the same year; both series follow their titular characters during the reign of the Empire. The Acolyte is a series created by Leslye Headland set at the end of the High Republic era before the events of the Skywalker Saga , and follows an investigation into
28362-427: Was released on May 21, 1980, and sees Luke begin training as a Jedi under the last living Jedi master, Yoda . Luke confronts Sith Lord Darth Vader , who is revealed to be Luke's father. Vader attempts to convert Luke to the dark side of the Force . The third film, Episode VI – Return of the Jedi , was released on May 25, 1983, and follows Luke as a full-fledged Jedi. Luke succeeds in redeeming Vader, thereby saving
28536-422: Was revealed in a press conference in February 2020. Involving the majority of the then current officially licensed publishers, a new era set 200 years before the Skywalker Saga was explored in various books and comics. Including ongoing titles by Marvel and IDW Publishing, written by Cavan Scott and Daniel José Older respectively. Marvel Comics will publish a one-shot comic book on September 4, 2024, that bridges
28710-412: Was slated to portray company lawyer A. Philip Randolph in an action-historical film entitled Night Ride Down , which would have been set around a labor union strike in the 1930s. Paramount Pictures shelved the project, after Ford quit the film over script changes he disagreed with. In the years that followed, Ford became the second actor to portray Jack Ryan in two films of the film series based on
28884-427: Was still uncredited. He was finally credited as "Harrison J. Ford" in the 1967 Western film A Time for Killing , starring Glenn Ford , George Hamilton and Inger Stevens , but the "J" did not stand for anything since he has no middle name. It was added to avoid confusion with a silent film actor named Harrison Ford , who appeared in more than 80 films between 1915 and 1932 and died in 1957. Ford later said that he
29058-503: Was subsequently restructured to only include the existing six feature films, the animated film The Clone Wars (2008), and its companion animated series. All future projects and creative developments across all types of media would be overseen and coordinated by the story group, announced as a division of Lucasfilm created to maintain continuity and a cohesive vision on the storytelling of the franchise. Multiple comics series from Marvel and novels published by Del Rey were produced after
29232-428: Was the most lucrative period of Ford's career. From 1977 to 1997, he appeared in 14 films that reached the top 15 in the yearly domestic box-office rankings, 12 of which reached the top ten. Six of the films he appeared in during this time were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture , among other awards: Star Wars , Apocalypse Now , Raiders of the Lost Ark , Witness , Working Girl , and The Fugitive . In
29406-414: Was the second-highest-grossing film worldwide in 2008. Ford later said he would like to star in another sequel "if it didn't take another 20 years to digest." Other 2008 work included Crossing Over , directed by Wayne Kramer. In the film, Ford plays an ICE/ Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent, working alongside Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta . He also narrated a feature documentary film about
29580-468: Was theatrically re-released in a 1997 "Special Edition", featuring various additions and changes , some of which were met with negative reception. These versions were released on VHS, replacing the original versions of the films as part of Lucas's original vision, and were created in part to reinvigorate interest in the saga ahead of the prequel trilogy . The special edition of Star Wars made its broadcast premiere on February 5, 1998, on WB stations across
29754-506: Was traveling as a passenger with Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke aboard a Gulfstream III when the jet developed an engine fire and stuck landing gear during a Paris-to-L.A. flight and was forced to land in Bangor, Maine . The charter company owning the G-3 sent another jet and mechanics to Bangor, and the group flew out on that plane the next day. On October 23, 1999, Ford was involved in
29928-470: Was unaware of the existence of the earlier actor until he came upon a star with his own name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Ford soon dropped the "J" and worked for Universal Studios , playing minor roles in many television series throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Gunsmoke , Ironside , The Virginian , The F.B.I. , Love, American Style and Kung Fu . He appeared in
30102-566: Was very well received by critics upon its release in October 2017. Scott Collura of IGN called it a "deep, rich, smart film that's visually awesome and full of great sci-fi concepts" and Ford's role "a quiet, sort of gut-wrenching interpretation to Deckard and what he must've gone through in the past three decades." The film grossed $ 259.3 million worldwide, short of the estimated $ 400 million that it needed to break even . In 2019, Ford had his first voice role in an animated film, as
30276-538: Was well received by critics, some of whom thought it was his best role in years. In July 2011, Ford starred alongside Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde in the science-fiction/western hybrid film Cowboys & Aliens . To promote the film, he appeared at San Diego Comic-Con and, apparently surprised by the warm welcome, told the audience, "I just wanted to make a living as an actor. I didn't know about this." Also in 2011, Ford starred in Japanese commercials advertising
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