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inspiration - What are the confirmed influences on Star Wars?



What are the confirmed influences on the Star Wars universe? I recall reading that Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand faces was a significant influence on the story from the first 3 Star Wars movies? I've also heard the argument made that E.E. Smith's Lensman series were also a significant influence on the idea of the Jedi Knights?



Answer



This seems a fairly thorough step into the subject. No hard evidence or quotes from Lucas or anything though..


In short:





  • Saturday morning serials (scrolling narrative)

  • Japanese anime (droids)

  • Paperback adventure clichés (coming of age, save the princess)

  • Rafael Sabatini's swashbuckling adventures (lightsabers! Vader is Luke's father)

  • Alan Foster's recurring "primitive natives overpowering high-tech invaders" theme (Ewoks)



In the end though: "Just don't try to find deep insight in it." :)


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