Star Wars. It’s the backbone of geek DNA, even more essential than an intricate knowledge of Linux or the inability to get a date. And now, 30 years after an independent filmmaker blew us away with the exploits of a Cinnabon-coifed princess, a wide-eyed farm boy, a scruffy-looking nerf herder and the baddest throat-crushing villain this side of Mos Eisley, we still can’t get enough.
Come with us as we take a cruise down hyperspace lane with Wired’s ongoing obsession with all things emanating from a galaxy far, far away. Gasp at the unmasking of director George Lucas, swoon at little-known production tidbits (Christopher Walken as Han Solo?!) and marvel as fans re-enact their favorite scenes with stop-motion animation and Lego figures. Because, hey, is there anyone out there who doesn't love Star Wars? You’d have to look pretty hard -- probably in a wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Life After Darth
George Lucas was born to make underground films. Then a little movie called Star Wars lured him to the dark side. Can the father of the blockbuster really rediscover his avant-garde soul?
By Steve Silberman
How Star Wars Changed the World
An interactive map of the people, companies, and technologies spawned by the Force (requires Flash).
By Michelle Devereaux
Gallery: The Making of Star Wars
A photo-packed book tracks the creation of the original Star Wars film.
By Todd Jatras
The Cult of Leia's Metal Bikini
Who knew a slave-girl costume could cause such a stir?
By Philip Chien
The Last Guy in the World to See Star Wars
With the 30th anniversary nigh, the Luddite decides it's time to watch the film everybody's been so excited about.
By Tony Long
The New Heart of the Empire
Inside the brand-new gaming + effects factory where Lucas & Co. are creating the future.
By Jessie Scanlon
Inside George's Future Factory
The gaming + effects + film studio of tomorrow.
By Jessie Scanlon
George Lucas on Star Wars, Fahrenheit 9/11 and His Own Legacy
A Q&A with the mythmaker behind Revenge of the Sith.
By Steve Silberman
The Month-Long Party Begins: Happy Birthday, Star Wars
A star-studded 30th-anniversary screening marks the start of a serious sci-fi celebration.
By Orrin Anderson
Ultimate Fanboy Stashes a Galaxy of Cool Collectibles
Take a peek at one of the world's largest collections, amassed over three decades by self-proclaimed Star Wars completist Steve Sansweet.
By Jenna Wortham
Fandom Forever: DIY Star Wars Tributes Keep the Saga Alive
Custom mods -- from cars to dental crowns -- show off a certain inspired devotion to George Lucas' sci-fi film series.
By Jenna Wortham
50 Million Star Warriors Can't Be Wrong
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas built an empire on the force of his imagination. Now the online game Star Wars Galaxies puts control of his universe in the hands of the fans.
By J.C. Herz
A New Reason to Love Star Wars
Making-of documentary Empire of Dreams reminds the world how special the Star Wars films are.
By Jason Silverman
The Empire's New Digs
George Lucas discusses the future of blockbusters at the opening of the Letterman Digital Arts Center.
By Xeni Jardin
Grand Illusion
The master of myth rewrites history.
By Paula Parisi
Forget Film, Games Do Sci-Fi Best
Star Wars: Empire at War captures the true flavor of George Lucas' grand vision.
By Clive Thompson
Star Wars DVD Sets of Tomorrow
Glimpse a possible alternate reality for hard-core Jedi-heads.
By Lore Sjöberg
Lego Star Wars: The Game
It takes George Lucas, the emperor of movie marketing, to spawn a video game based on a toy based on a trilogy based on an older, more popular trilogy.
By Lore Sjöberg
F/X Gods
The 10 visual-effects wizards who rule Hollywood in the post-Star Wars world.
By Anne Thompson
Amateur Auteur Likes It That Way
With a 30-second joke movie called Kung Fu Kenobi, Evan Mather rewrites the rules of internet filmmaking.
By Leander Kahney
Access to Education
An open letter from September 1994 calls for telecom reform.
By George Lucas and Sen. Bob Kerrey
