A 1980 American space-opera sequel in which the Rebel Alliance scatters under Imperial pursuit while a young Jedi trains under an ancient master.
Production
Irvin Kershner directed from a screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, working from George Lucas’s story. Lucas self-financed the $33 million budget rather than ceding more control to Fox, shooting at Elstree Studios in England with Norway exteriors.
Reception
The film opened in May 1980, earned around $538 million on its original release, and quickly became the highest-grossing film of the year. Critical reception was strong from release and continued to climb.
Legacy
Empire is widely regarded as the strongest entry in the original trilogy, partly for its narrative darkness and the famous Vader-Skywalker revelation. Its structure of a middle film that ends in apparent defeat became a model for subsequent franchise sequels.
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