<Tr> <Th> 11 Episode VIII The Last Jedi </Th> <Td> 08 December 15, 2017 (2017 - 12 - 15) </Td> <Td_colspan="3"> Rian Johnson </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 12 Episode IX </Th> <Td> 09 December 20, 2019 (2019 - 12 - 20) </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> J.J. Abrams </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Michelle Rejwan </Td> </Tr> <P> In 1971, Lucas wanted to film an adaptation of the Flash Gordon serial, but couldn't obtain the rights . He began developing his own story inspired by the work of Edgar Rice Burroughs . Immediately after directing American Graffiti (1973), Lucas wrote a two - page synopsis for his space opera, titled Journal of the Whills . After United Artists, Universal Studios and Disney rejected the film, 20th Century Fox decided to invest in it . Lucas felt his original story was too difficult to understand, so on April 17, 1973, he began writing a 13 - page script titled The Star Wars, sharing strong similarities with Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress (1958). By 1974, he had expanded the script into the first draft of a screenplay, adding elements such as the Sith and the Death Star . Subsequent drafts evolved into the script of the original film . </P> <P> Lucas negotiated to retain the sequel rights . Tom Pollock, then Lucas' lawyer writes: "We came to an agreement that George would retain the sequel rights . Not all the (merchandising rights) that came later, mind you; just the sequel rights . And Fox would get a first opportunity and last refusal right to make the movie ." Lucas was offered $50,000 to write, another $50,000 to produce, and $50,000 to direct the film . The offer was later increased . American Graffiti cast member Harrison Ford had given up on acting and become a carpenter whom Lucas hired for his home renovations, until Lucas decided to cast him as Han Solo . </P>

Where did the idea for star wars come from
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