— Ch. 1 · Lexicon And Iconography —
Cultural impact of Star Wars.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
In 1977, a film titled Star Wars opened in theaters and changed how people spoke. Phrases like May the Force be with you entered everyday conversation across English-speaking countries. Darth Vader became an iconic villain recognized worldwide alongside Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. The phrase evil empire appeared in political speeches to describe adversaries. A character named C-3PO and another called R2-D2 were known by name even by those who had never seen the movie. The word clanker became slang for droids or machines in casual talk. These references assumed that others would understand them without explanation. The first film served as a cultural unifier enjoyed by many different groups of people.
Hollywood Blockbuster Revolution
Twenty-first Century Fox optioned Star Wars before it became a blockbuster. Grossing $100 million in three months caused Fox stock to soar from $6 to $25 per share. Revenue reached $1.2 million daily for the studio during that initial run. The company used increased cash flow to purchase Aspen skiing and Pebble Beach golf corporations. Before this film special effects had not advanced appreciably since the 1950s. Industrial Light & Magic formed to provide state-of-the-art visual effects for future projects. Digital Productions also emerged to support the growing demand for computer-generated imagery. Jaws started the tradition of summer blockbusters together with Star Wars. Films now open on many screens simultaneously while profitable franchises drive industry profits. Merchandising rights could generate more money than the film itself.