Star Wars

[JOEYSHABADO]

Why did the films start in the wrong order?

[brachiopod]

* Sigh *

It's not real, you know.

A filmscore is written and pitched around to get backing to be made. If it is good (or hyped) enough to be successful in terms of box office receipts, they will consider making a sequel or a 'prequel'  (which is when the story / narrative happens earlier in time than the original).

You will hear it said that Lucas et el always intended these sequels from the outset, but I somehow doubt it. Though I understand he had loose ideas for the first three films.

They had no idea that the original 'Star Wars' (note, no numbers or or tags) would be such a success, and as such, there is no "grand story" all written out ready. The latest films would have been written to fit in with the story thus far.

[JOEYSHABADO]

I'm not sure that's right.
Can anyone else advise me why the star wars films do not reflect the order of the books?

[goldfish100]

I was told by an avid star wars fan that Lucas did not feel that he could make the first films (episodes 1 - 3) to an acceptable standard as the technology available at the time would not do them justice.

This could be an urban legend though!

[greenday]

branchipod is correct. They had no way of knowing that the film would be such a success, and the sequils and subsequent prequils were based on ideas Lucas had and were fitted around the original Star Wars movie.

[dafyd]

Yeah, the books certainly were written after the films.

[JOEYSHABADO]

<lifts Triumph the Dog, ready to attack>

[Mattk]

i always thought that 'a new hope' was the 1st one because they chose the one that would be the most financially viable ie would make the most cash 

[tonymclark]

The first film made "Star Wars" ( or to give it the title on the original poster mock-up "The Star Wars" ) was only retitles "episode IV - A New Hope" when the first sequal came out ( episode V - the Empire Strikes Back ). Locas had always liked the Flash Gordon serials as a child, and had always wanted to do a series of films.

As the above answers say, he had no way of knowing that the film would be a runaway success.

[reggiebickle]

Star wars is tosh overratred saturday morning cinema.Beats me how it keeps winning polls as the best movie ever!!!!At least Flash Gordon knew its limitations