Imagine that it's 1977 and you're making a movie. So let me give you a list of supplies you're

going to need. First, you'll definitely want some recordings of bears and walruses because

obviously their vocalizations are similar to the sounds one of your characters makes.

Next, you're going to want to make a bunch of little model spaceships,

but make them act more like fighter jets on screen.

And side note, to do this, you will need an entirely new type of camera, so definitely get started on that.

And finally, while you're out, grab an ice cream maker, some bubble wrap, maybe a dog toy, just some random things that we can spray paint to make them look like futuristic devices or parts of costumes.

You know, like the usual stuff. Get started on those errands, please.

You're about to make one of the biggest movies of all time.

I'm Sharon McMahon, and this is the Preamble Podcast.

George Lucas started imagining what he called his space opera way back in 1971, the same

year that he founded his entertainment company Lucasfilm. Though he was relatively new to movie

making, Lucas had some big plans. While dreaming about his space opera,

Lucas released another movie, and that one did really well. Maybe you've seen or heard of

American Graffiti, starring Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfus, Cindy Williams, and an unknown actor named

Harrison Ford.

Because American graffiti was so successful, Lucas was offered several other film projects, but he was determined to work on his own ideas and turned back to his space opera.

Universal Studios and United Artists passed on their chances to make this strange

film. George Lucas was actually glad that these big studios turned him down as he wanted more

creative control over the film than they were likely to grant. In 1973, George Lucas met with

Alan Ladd Jr., president of 20th century Fox.

Laddie, as he was known, was excited about Lucas's success with American graffiti.

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