<P> Before its release, Lucas considered walking away from Star Wars sequels, thinking the film would be a flop . However the film exceeded all expectations . The success of the film, as well as its merchandise sales, and Lucas desire to create an independent film - making center . Both led Lucas to make Star Wars the basis of an elaborate film serial, and use the profits to finance his film - making center, Skywalker Ranch . Alan Dean Foster was already writing the first sequel - novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye, released in 1978 . But Lucas decided not to adapt Foster's work, knowing a sequel would be allowed more budget . At first, Lucas envisioned a series of films with no set number of entries, like the James Bond series . In an interview with Rolling Stone in August 1977, he said that he wanted his friends to each take a turn at directing the films and giving unique interpretations on the series . He added that the backstory in which Darth Vader turns to the dark side, kills Luke's father and fights Obi - Wan Kenobi on a volcano as the Galactic Republic falls would make an excellent sequel . </P> <P> Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebels are forced to evacuate their secret base on Hoth as they are hunted by the Empire . At the request of the late Obi - Wan's spirit, Luke travels to the swamp - infested world of Dagobah to find the exiled Jedi Master Yoda and begin his Jedi training . However, Luke's training is interrupted by Vader, who lures him into a trap by capturing Han and Leia at Cloud City, governed by Han's old friend Lando Calrissian . During a fierce lightsaber duel with the Sith Lord, Luke learns that Vader is his father . </P> <P> After the success of the original film, Lucas hired science fiction author Leigh Brackett to write Star Wars II with him . They held story conferences and, by late November 1977, Lucas had produced a handwritten treatment called The Empire Strikes Back . It was similar to the final film, except that Darth Vader does not reveal he is Luke's father . </P> <P> Brackett finished her first draft in early 1978; in it, Luke's father appeared as a ghost to instruct Luke . Lucas has said he was disappointed with it, but before he could discuss it with her, she died of cancer . With no writer available, Lucas had to write his next draft himself . It was this draft in which Lucas first made use of the "Episode" numbering for the films; Empire Strikes Back was listed as Episode II . As Michael Kaminski argues in The Secret History of Star Wars, the disappointment with the first draft probably made Lucas consider different directions in which to take the story . He made use of a new plot twist: Darth Vader claims to be Luke's father . According to Lucas, he found this draft enjoyable to write, as opposed to the yearlong struggles writing the first film, and quickly wrote two more drafts, both in April 1978 . This new story point of Darth Vader being Luke's father had drastic effects on the series . After writing these two drafts, Lucas revised the backstory between Anakin Skywalker, Kenobi, and the Emperor . </P>

Who has been in every star wars movie