39 Years Ago Today, Star Wars Got Its Most Exciting Update in Years (And It’s More Important Than You Realize)

by

Following the release of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi in 1983, the hugely popular Star Wars franchise faced a challenge: the main story had concluded, but fans still desperately wanted more. Hints that stories existed before Episode IV and potentially after Episode VI kept interest alive, though the only new content available for a while was the TV movies Caravan of Courage and The Battle for Endor, along with the animated series Droids and Ewoks. Fortunately, dedicated fans could still enjoy new Star Wars adventures through Marvel Comics, which continued publishing stories set both between the films and beyond them.

Star Wars fans eventually got something new and exciting that didn’t just continue the story, but actually took it beyond the original movies. While it wasn’t available in theaters or on video, this new chapter – Star Tours, which opened at Disneyland 38 years ago today – was arguably the coolest addition to the franchise in years. And its impact goes even further than most people realize.

Star Tours Marked the First New Star Wars Material From George Lucas in Years

Having collaborated on the “Captain EO” attraction, Disney approached George Lucas in the mid-1980s about bringing Star Wars to their theme parks. Lucas enthusiastically agreed and, with his team at Lucasfilm, developed the visuals for the Star Tours ride. This was the first time in years that Star Wars fans saw new content directly approved and created with George Lucas’s involvement, making it particularly special and authentic.

The ride begins with guests boarding a Star Tours ship booked for a trip to the Forest Moon of Endor, as seen in Return of the Jedi. The ship is flown by RX-24, a new droid voiced by Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman), who takes passengers on a thrilling journey through classic Star Wars scenes. Expect a jump to lightspeed, a ride through a comet field, and a close encounter with Imperial ships, including a brand new Death Star! Even before the ride starts, the waiting area is filled with Star Wars details and hidden references. You’ll see C-3PO and R2-D2, and Chewbacca, Ewoks, and Mon Calamari all make appearances in the safety video.

When Star Tours first opened, it was an absolute sensation! I remember hearing about Disneyland staying open for sixty hours straight just to let everyone experience it – that’s how crazy the demand was. And it wasn’t just a flash in the pan; the ride stayed incredibly popular for decades. They eventually expanded it to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris, which just proves how much people loved it. What’s really cool is how Star Wars itself incorporated Star Tours into the official storyline. Shows like The Clone Wars and Rebels actually referenced the ride in some pretty significant ways, making it feel like a real part of that galaxy far, far away.

Star Tours Helped Pave the Way for Modern Star Wars

The success of the Star Tours ride led to more projects pairing Lucasfilm and Disney, including attractions based on Indiana Jones. In 2005, Disney announced a significant update to Star Tours that would offer a unique experience each time guests rode, with over 54 different possible storylines. These variations would include different planets and characters from the Star Wars universe. The updated ride opened in May 2011, and on that same day, George Lucas met with Bob Iger, the CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

The story goes that Iger first brought up the possibility of buying Lucasfilm during a breakfast meeting with Lucas, and Lucas indicated he’d be willing to discuss it. This conversation started a lengthy negotiation that ultimately led to Disney’s announcement on October 30, 2012: they were purchasing Lucasfilm for $4 billion and planning to create new Star Wars films.

Look, I’m a huge Star Wars fan, and I think a lot of people forget just how important Star Tours was. It wasn’t just a fun ride; it was the first new Star Wars content we’d gotten in years, way back in 1987! It really cemented the relationship between Disney and George Lucas. I honestly believe that partnership, starting with Star Tours, is a huge reason why the franchise is where it is today. It was the first step towards everything we’ve seen in the modern Star Wars era, and that’s why it matters so much to me.

https://comicbook.com/comics/feature/star-wars-officially-retcons-the-force-awakens-it-doesnt-make-any-sense/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-09 22:21