Star Wars, which was subsequently retitled Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, was originally conceived as a comic-strip adaptation of the movie with the same title. Al Williamson was slated to write it, as George Lucas initially wanted him for the comic-strip adaptation because he had read Williamson's Flash Gordon comics. Despite completing the story up to the point where the Lars family acquired R2-D2 and C-3PO in a fortnight, he eventually ceased his work on the project. The comic strip that was eventually published was penned by Russ Manning instead. Williamson later created adaptations of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.