It's Star Wars day and despite a global pandemic that leaves all of us frozen, like Han, in the carbonite of our own homes, none of us should miss the opportunity celebrate George Lucas' space opera on its officially mandated holiday. So spin up that Modal Nodes album and cast your eyes across some of the best Star Wars content (The) Empire has ever produced.
Star Wars: The Perfect Viewing Order
With a grand total of eleven films now in circulation, the best way to experience the Star Wars saga has become a rather tricky path to navigate. For stalwart fans looking for the optimum viewing order, newcomers in search of the ideal introduction and parents about to instruct their children in the ways of The Force, we present the principal schools of thought on the subject. And, dare we say it, the definitive answer you’re looking for.
Eight Spine-Tingling Skywalker Saga Trailers
Revisit the greatest moments of the entire saga in these official and fan-made trailers guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Encompassing all three eras, the greatest John Williams cues, the most heroic moments and iconic designs, they'll make you want to watch every Star Wars film all over again.
The Complete History Of The Force Awakens
After being absent from our screens for 12 years, Star Wars returned to our screens in December 2015. Never ones for half measures, we sat down with everyone involved to bring you the definitive behind-the-scenes story, covering the film all the way from conception to release. So strap in, sit back and read our definitive, five-part oral history of Star Wars' triumphant revival.
The Ultimate Star Wars Quizzes
For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before Empire's ludicrously difficult Star Wars quizzes. That's right, you may have aced the Kessel Run, you might be fluent in over six million forms of communication but you'll still have your work cut out for you with these gruelling test of Star Wars knowledge. Try the quiz, use The Force and take your first step into a larger world. Beware: Imperial operatives will change the questions with every try.
Simon Pegg On Star Wars
The actor and screenwriter writes exclusively for Empire, telling us all in his own words exactly what Star Wars means to him.
The Complete History Of Rogue One
The first Star Wars anthology movie, Gareth Edwards' Rogue One not only brought new characters and a whole new feel to the saga but it dared to fill in some of the gaps between Episodes III and IV. Speaking to both cast and crew, we assembled a sprawling history of the production, which was subsequently smuggled out of Imperial space inside a small Astromech droid.
Who Shot First? The Complete List Of Star Wars Changes
Like a very rich schoolboy picking at a scab, George Lucas became famous for tinkering with the Star Wars saga. Over the years he made innumerable visits to the Skywalker Ranch editing room to refine and revise all six films, from the addition of modern CG effects in the original trilogy to Greedo shooting first. Twenty years after the original Special Editions were first released, we’ve charted the complete history of Star Wars alterations, from the major to the almost unnoticeable.
Harrison Ford Career Interview
From Star Wars to Blade Runner and Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford sat down with Empire's interviewer for a rare, career-spanning conversation.
The Greatest Star Wars Characters
From the moment the Jedi Order was first conceived, the Star Wars galaxy has rarely been an underpopulated universe. You can't move for Gungans, Corellians, Twi'leks, Imperial badmen, bounty hunters, droids and whatever the hell Admiral Ackbar is. Yet everyone's sure about which of those denizens is their favourite. Sure, the Han fans outnumber the Luke-lovers, and the Fett-followers think they're way cooler than the Vader ravers, but even the likes of Wicket the ewok have their yay-sayers. Read on for our list of the best Star Wars characters, from cruel Imperial footsoliders right up to the number one slot
The Emperor Speaks: Ian McDiarmid Interview
The senator from Naboo, the Supreme Chancellor of The Republic, Sith Lord, Ruler Of The Galactic Empire: Sheev Palpatine's CV is impressive by anyone's measure and we met up with the man himself, Ian McDiarmid, to talk all things Palpatine.
The Secret History Of Star Wars
Exposed! The truth behind the most famous myths of Star Wars - with testimony from those who were there.
71 Awesome Behind-The-Scenes Star Wars Photos
Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes photos from the '77 original, right up to Rogue One.
Mark Hamill Answers Your Questions
From comparisons with Harrison Ford to Phantom Menace quality control, Mark Hamill answers questions from the Empire readers.
Kevin Smith, Simon Pegg And Edgar Wright Nerd Out on Star Wars
Empire loves Star Wars. Kevin Smith loves Star Wars (it’s a legal requirement that every Smith flick features a reference to George Lucas’ space saga). Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, the brains behind Shaun Of The Dead, love Star Wars (at least, the original trilogy). So it was a bit of a no-brainer to get us all together recently in a top London hotel for a dedicated discussion of all things Starry and, indeed, Warsy. What resulted, though, was far from a no-brainer, being instead a passionate,insightful and very funny debate taking in everything from prequels to fandom, and the excitement that geeks can feel when they see a man in a helmet.
The Star Wars Holiday Special: A Retrospective
We investigate the full sordid story behind Star Wars' most demented dirty secret: the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. Read on to discover how it happened and re-live the experience minute by painful minute.
On Set Of The Phantom Menace
There had never been a shoot like it. The technological breakthroughs, the precise detail, the boundless expectation. And a director who had been absent for 20 years. Empire visits the set of a galaxy far, far away (near Leavesden, Herts.) and charts the full story of the creation of Episode I.
George Lucas: The Star Wars Prequels Interview
In 1999, shortly after The Phantom Menace debuted to a mixed reception from both critics and fans, Empire sat down with Star Wars creator George Lucas. We discuss the response to Episode I, his plans for the prequels to follow, Jar Jar Binks and much more.