TIME Special Edition: The Story of Star Wars

Today—45 years after crowds first lined up to visit a galaxy far, far away—Star Wars remains a beloved and enduring touchstone of popular culture. Why did Star Wars become such a powerful force? Star Mark Hamill credits its ability to satisfy the human need for escapism in a world that can be harrowing and scary. “People need the therapeutic value of going away to some happy place,” he said, “I think it appeals to children of all ages. It doesn’t matter if you’re 6 or 60, it appeals to the optimistic young idealism that I think every person has, however buried it might be.” Optimistic idealism coupled with the power of unlimited imagination is a formidable and timeless combination. This is the story of how it all began.

On Newsstands: 4/29/22 - 8/1/22