Star Wars, the underdog story about a group of rebels fighting an empire, quickly earned fans not just of science fiction but of adventure, drama, and even romance. It may have begun as a genre film, but over four decades of build-up in the pop culture zeitgeist has turned it into an entertainment juggernaut.

Return of the Jedi, the final episode of the original trilogy, came out 40 years ago this week, on May 25, 1983. Directed by Richard Marquand and written by Lawrence Kasdan and Star Wars creator George Lucas, the movie sees the Empire working on a more powerful Death Star while the Rebels plan their most ambitious attack. Before joining the fight, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) learns that Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is his twin sister and shares the news with her on the Forest Moon of Endor.

After the fighting ends she put a nervous Han Solo (Harrison Ford) at ease, explaining that her love for Luke is familial and the pair begin their relationship in earnest. When faced with killing his son or the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid), Darth Vader (David Prowse) chooses to save his son at the last minute, costing him his life. In the end, the Empire fell at the hands of the Rebels, led by a young farmer, princess, scruffy looking nerf herder, a Wookie, an old smoothie, and a couple of droids.

The final piece in Lucas’ first trilogy made over $570 million during its first theatrical run. It may have been the conclusion of the original trilogy, but Return of the Jedi served as a launching point for much more in the world of Star Wars.

Kenner, which had been producing Star Wars action figures and toys since 1978, produced over 30 new action figures for Return of the Jedi. Released from ’82 to ’84, those lines featured new versions of the main characters like Luke as a Jedi Knight, Leia in Boushh disguise and combat poncho, Han in trench coat, and Lando Calrissian in Skiff Guard disguise. Rebel additions were Admiral Ackbar, General Madine, Nien Nunb, and Prune Face. Ewoks were represented by Chief Chirpa, Logray, Wicket, and Teebo. Characters from scenes with Jabba the Hutt like the Gamorrean Guard, Klaatu, Weequay, Squid Head, Bib Fortuna, Ree-Yees, and the Rancor Keeper were added. Finally, the Emperor himself became a figure, along with the Emperor’s Royal Guard.

Since no more films were in the works, Kenner rebranded the line as Power of the Force, however, many new figures still originated from Return of the Jedi. The line contained what collectors call “The Last 17” figures, which were packaged with aluminum character coins. Some new figures include Han in Carbonite, Lando as the general pilot, Luke in the Stormtrooper outfit and one in the poncho, R2-D2 with the pop-up lightsaber, Anakin Skywalker, the EV-9D9 droid, and a few more Ewoks, among others. Yak Face was not available in the US, making that figure harder to find and more valuable.

Audiences were introduced to the furry little forest-dwelling Ewoks in Return of the Jedi, who went on to star in two movies of their own. The TV movie Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure aired on ABC during Thanksgiving weekend in 1984. Wicket the Ewok from Return of the Jedi (with Warwick Davis reprising the role) helps two kids find and save their parents from a giant. Lucas provided the story and Bob Carrau wrote the screenplay, which was directed by John Korty.

A year later in the sequel Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, Wicket and Cindel (from Caravan of Courage) face an evil witch and meet a hermit who might be able to save the Ewok village from raiders. Once again Lucas provided the story, which was written and directed by Jim and Ken Wheat.

The Star Wars: Ewoks animated series also began in ’85, with young Wicket once again as the starring character. The show featured a large cast with other film characters like Chief Chirpa, Paploo, and Teebo, as well as members of Wicket’s family, King Gorneesh and Queen Urga, their villain, Morag the Tulgah Witch, and other tribes. Developed by Paul Dini and Bob Carrau, the show lasted for two seasons through December 1986.

Return of the Jedi was adapted as a comic at Marvel, starting in October 1983, and running through January 1984. It was a four-issue story told separately from the ongoing Star Wars comic and was handled by the team of Archie Goodwin, Al Williamson, and Carlos Garzon.

The final original trilogy film was also the basis for Return of the Jedi Weekly, which began in June 1983 and consisted of 155 issues, became the first UK comic printed in color. Collectively, Star Wars comics at Marvel UK ran through 1986, featuring original content, annuals, and specials.

Dark Horse Comics acquired the Star Wars license in 1991, starting with their first limited series, Star Wars: Dark Empire. Originally commissioned by editor Archie Goodwin when the license was still at Marvel, writer Tom Veitch and artist Cam Kennedy’s follow-on was set six years after the Empire fell in Return of the Jedi. It depicted a galaxy still torn by fighting, and The Empire reborn with a seemingly new leader ‒ Emperor Palpatine resurrected in cloned bodies ‒ and a new powerful weapon.

Published from December 1991 to October 1992, it’s difficult to overstate the impact its story had on Star Wars fandom. As difficult as that might be for some to imagine, those who remember know that prior to the prequels things were getting fairly sparse. Dark Empire and Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy of novels may well have reignited the spark and kept things going until the prequels were announced.

From 1991 to 1993, Timothy Zahn wrote the bestselling Thrawn trilogy, which is considered to be one of the best companion series. Also known as the Heir to the Empire trilogy, it introduced popular characters like Imperial military commander Grand Admiral Thrawn, Mara Jade (Luke Skywalker’s wife), and smuggler Talon Karrde. Set in the expanded universe about five years after Return of the Jedi, the Rebellion is now known as the New Republic, trying to defeat the last of the Imperial resistance, while creating a new government structure. At the edges of the galaxy Grand Admirals are working together to attack the New Republic. It also expanded on Leia and Han’s relationship with the pair now married and expecting twins.

Also published that year, was the Jedi Academy trilogy (Bantam Spectra) by Kevin J. Anderson. Individually titled Jedi Search, Dark Apprentice, and Champions of the Force, the story takes place about seven years after Return of the Jedi. Luke Skywalker devotes himself to rebuilding the Jedi Order by setting up an academy and the New Republic deals with a new catastrophic weapon.

The 14-book Young Jedi Knights series (Boulevard and Berkley Jam) by Anderson and Rebecca Moesta was published in 1995-1998. The popular young adult series centers around the Jedi training of teenaged Jacen and Jaina Solo, the twin children of Leia and Han.

Given its position as the third act in Lucas’ trilogy, Return of the Jedi could have been the complete conclusion to the franchise. But fans hungered for more adventures from the galaxy far, far away and the building blocks – the aftermath of war, the hope for peace, growing new threats, and new generations of heroes and villains – were found in that movie.

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