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The Star Wars story synopsis

The narrative summary for The Star Wars, which can also be called the initial draft of Star Wars, represented the initial phase in writing the script for Episode IV. George Lucas authored this document during the spring of 1973 and submitted it to United Artists for their evaluation on May 7, 1973. It faced rejection on May 29, 1973, due to its estimated budget of $3 million. Subsequently, it was presented to Universal, but they did not make a decision within the allotted ten-day timeframe. On July 13, the project was then pitched to Twentieth Century Fox. They gave the green light, proceeding (with a continuous option to back out) with Lucas to produce a screenplay. A year following the completion of the initial draft, in May 1974, The Star Wars: Rough Draft saw its completion.

Synopsis

Above the surface of the planet named Aquilae, a squadron of starfighters advanced towards a distant point. This point gradually materialized into a massive space fortress, which became the target of their assault.

The setting was the 33rd century. Civil war had engulfed the galaxy, which was under the control of an Empire. A princess, escaping the Empire's reach, journeyed alongside her protector, General Luke Skywalker.

Two officials stationed at the space fortress prematurely evacuated to Aquilae's surface, where they stumbled upon a cache of aura spice, a valuable commodity. This spice, however, was the property of the princess and her General, who were disguised as farmers. Consequently, the two officials were taken as prisoners.

Their destination was Gordon, a starport. During their journey, they engaged and eliminated an Imperial patrol and paid a visit to a temple. At the temple, a group of young Rebel aspirants sought to join their cause, but their request was denied. However, when perilous creatures launched an attack on the princess's encampment that night, the aspirants intervened and demonstrated their capabilities. Subsequently, Skywalker permitted them to accompany them.

They eventually reached Gordon, where a conflict erupted within a cantina. Skywalker utilized his lazersword to defend one of the young boys. They established contact with the resistance movement and received directions to a freighter to facilitate their departure from the planet. However, an Imperial spy overheard their conversation, transforming the freighter into a deadly trap.

Evading the ambush, they commandeered a fighter and fought their way out of Gordon. In orbit, they integrated themselves into the Imperial fleet, but as they approached Ophuchi, they were intercepted and ordered to halt for inspection. A gunfight ensued, leading them to escape into an asteroid field. Ultimately, they concealed their ship within an asteroid, prompting the Empire to abandon their pursuit. Nevertheless, the fighter sustained significant damage, disintegrating above Yavin.

They encountered a tribe of aliens. The group became separated, as Skywalker was ambushed and plummeted into a ravine; the princess and the officials were captured by the aliens and subsequently sold to the Empire.

Skywalker, however, survived and gained the trust of some of the aliens. Guided by an elderly farmer, he and the young rebel recruits launched an assault on the Imperial outpost on the planet, but the princess had already been dispatched to the Imperial capital of Alderaan. A squadron of Devil fighters was stationed there. The General instructed the boys in piloting them, and they journeyed to Alderaan, posing as Imperial rangers.

The Rebels infiltrated the prison facility and liberated the princess (with the officials tagging along). They battled their way off the planet and reached Ophuchi, where the princess and her uncle, the planet's ruler, expressed their gratitude to everyone. The officials then came to the realization that their companions were "demigods."

Development

The synopsis's plot and scenes are directly inspired by Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, specifically taken directly from the film's synopsis in Donald Richie's 1965 book The Films of Akira Kurosawa, but reimagined as a space opera. Therefore, the proposed film would have been similar to The Magnificent Seven's relationship with The Seven Samurai rather than being a completely original work. However, as Lucas began writing the actual scripts, the story began to evolve into a unique plot and universe.

Continuity

The synopsis is the only source implying that the Star Wars story was set not only in the future (specifically the thirty-third century) but also within the Milky Way galaxy. Later story treatments of what would become the Star Wars franchise would place the setting in a galaxy far, far away from the Milky Way, taking place a long time ago.

Sources

  • The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film
  • Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle
  • Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle, Updated Edition
  • Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual History, Updated and Expanded Edition
  • The Star Wars Archives: Episodes IV–VI, 1977–1983
  • Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual History, New Edition

Notes and references

External links

Appearances

This article uses content from Wookiepedia, under CC-BY-SA 3.0.