45 years ago, on May 21, 1980, George Lucas’s masterpiece “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” graced our screens, leaving an indelible mark not just on the sci-fi genre, but on cinema as a whole. As a movie enthusiast, I can attest that this Irvin Kershner-directed sequel redefined the potential of film sequels, transcending box office success and revolutionizing the way we perceive narrative structures in movies.
It was “The Empire Strikes Back” that essentially pioneered two groundbreaking concepts now commonplace in mainstream cinema: the three-act movie trilogy arc and the ongoing cinematic franchise as an ever-evolving storyline. This film wasn’t merely a financial triumph; it reshaped the landscape of filmmaking, paving the way for the epic narratives we enjoy today.
Sequels in Hollywood predates the release of Empire, as evident by Universal’s success with their monster franchise dating back to the 1930s and 1940s. By the time Empire graced our screens on May 21, 1980, a grand total of 11 James Bond films had already been produced. These earlier movies were indeed sequels, but their approach to sequel-making differed significantly from George Lucas’ vision for Empire. Each new James Bond film offered a fresh start for the character and its viewers, rarely making references to past episodes.
The concept behind continuing the story from where the previous movie ended was influenced by Lucas’ childhood memories of the Flash Gordon serials. However, these series and similar adventure serials were often dismissed as low-budget entertainment in their time. “Serious” films typically avoided such a format, considering it a step down from the prestige of mainstream cinema. Interestingly, Lucas’ Indiana Jones also drew inspiration from old serials, but it would follow more closely to the Bond style.
Because of the negative connotation associated with it, subsequent films that were direct continuations of hit movies often appeared as mere money-making attempts by audiences and studios alike. For instance, “Planet of the Apes” was a massive success for Fox in 1968. However, when the studio considered extending the story, its lead actor, Charlton Heston, dismissed the idea. He once said, “I don’t want to do a sequel; that’s like the Andy Hardy series,” referencing the endless Mickey Rooney comedies of the 1940s. Despite agreeing to return for a cameo in the second movie, Heston’s sentiment mirrored the feelings of many about direct sequels: they were considered cheap imitations. When blockbusters like “The Exorcist” and “Jaws” received their sequels, moviegoers often viewed them as inferior copies attempting to replicate the originals with less finesse. The same was expected for “Star Wars 2.”
As a diehard fan, I can attest that upon its release, Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back revolutionized the cinematic landscape unlike any Bond film. Unlike the Bond series, it demanded that audiences were already well-versed in Star Wars lore from the first movie, with no effort to bring newcomers up to speed or simply rehash the 1977 original.
Empire Strikes Back also marked a turning point by popularizing the concept of a cliffhanger ending, setting the stage for a three-part narrative instead of a standalone film. In essence, Empire Strikes Back was a sophisticated blockbuster sequel that harkened back to the serialized formulas once deemed too childish for mature audiences.
The pattern of movie trilogies gained popularity following the unprecedented success of “Empire”. Subsequently, series such as “Back to the Future” and even the competing “Star Trek” franchise adopted this format (with “Star Trek’s” trilogy consisting of movies II, III, and IV). Eventually, “The Lord of the Rings” became the second most successful film trilogy ever, behind only “Star Wars”. This was appropriate as Tolkien’s storytelling structure had a significant impact on Lucas’ work.
Among all Hollywood movie franchises, none has embodied the lessons of “The Empire Strikes Back” as thoroughly as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Given Kevin Feige’s open admiration for Star Wars, this should not surprise us. Ever since Nick Fury made his debut in the post-credits scene of Iron Man, the MCU has been constructing each film sequentially, much like “The Empire Strikes Back,” by subtly hinting at upcoming events in subsequent films. Even before the MCU, X2: X-Men United drew heavily from “The Empire Strikes Back.” In a broader sense, Infinity War and Endgame were the most apparent films to follow Lucas’ script, but in truth, all Marvel films incorporate this approach.
It’s intriguing that the Star Wars film series appears to be moving towards focusing on standalone movies, rather than sticking with trilogies. With shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, and others on streaming platforms, it seems that Star Wars storylines may continue primarily on television for now. For a long time, Star Wars has been overshadowed by the Empire, but it looks like it might finally find freedom from its shadow. However, when it comes to other major Hollywood franchises, the influence of The Empire Strikes Back is unlikely to diminish any time soon.
Originally Published May 21, 2020
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2025-05-21 22:35