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Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Nowadays, Star Wars is everywhere, in movies, television shows, video games, toys, and theme parks. But back before Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was first released, many, including its creator George Lucas, had doubts about how successful the first movie would even do. Lucas had only directed two films previously, THX 1138 and American Graffiti. Only one studio, 20th Century Fox, would work with George on the movie; others turned him down due to not believing in either George or a science fiction movie.
Once filming got underway, it was still a struggle for him and everyone else. Setbacks included unexpected weather, injuries, and a lack of belief from the crew. It got so bad that George was diagnosed with exhaustion and hypertension. A few months before release, an early cut of the movie had mixed results.
Even in Lucas' wildest dreams, he imagined the movie making $25 million. Instead, when it was released, it would become the biggest movie ever, making over 550 million dollars.
Quotes
They saw it and [said] 'Poor George.' 'What were you thinking?'
George Lucas
With Star Wars I reckoned we should do $16 million domestic.... and, if the film caught right, maybe $25 million. The chances were a zillion to one of it going further.
George Lucas
The title Star Wars was an insurance policy. The studio didn't see it that way; they thought science fiction was a very bad genre, that women didn't like it, although they did no market research on that until after the film was finished. But we calculated that there are something like $8 million worth of science fiction freaks in the USA, and they will go to see absolutely anything with a title like Star Wars.
George Lucas
Related Media
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
An epic space opera film created and directed by George Lucas.
References
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George Lucas nearly killed Star Wars before it even began
It was, and remains, a masterpiece: and its sequel was even better. But before A New Hope, the production of Star Wars almost killed the project before it ever reached the big screen.
The Digital Fix
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The Story of Star Wars: How the Iconic Movie Got Made (and Almost Didn't)
When Star Wars debuted in 1977, it was like a breath of fresh air — the film was unlike anything else in theaters at the time. George Lucas, who considered himself separate from corporate Hollywood, took to studying old legends and mythology rather than current politics. Star Wars became a timeless hero's journey with larger than life heroes rather than a snapshot of one dark moment in time.
Movieweb
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George Lucas was convinced 'Star Wars' would flop and refused to believe it was a hit until he got a call telling him to turn on the news
The film went on to make more than $775 million worldwide. Perhaps no one was more stunned by the film's success than creator George Lucas himself.
Insider
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The Man Who Made Star Wars
Both makers and analysts were wrong. Star Wars was a "sleeper," a film whose vast success was in doubt until after it had been open for a while. Meanwhile, Lucas and Kurtz had to do battle over budgets.
The Atlantic
