Star Wars Informative Speech
Star Wars
What movie franchise has been the most powerful film franchise in history? Who could forget traveling through space fighting evil, using the force, and defeating the empire? Yes I am talking about Star Wars. The franchise includes 6 movies and countless games, toys, and books. Now I know y’all must be thinking “she only thinks star wars in so important cause it’s her favorite movie or she’s a geek or something like that” Well to be honest I have never in my life seen any of the movies. I’ve seen bits and pieces but none of them the whole way through.
Although that it true Star Wars has influenced my life. Star Wars is and will be for years to come the most influential, powerful, and profitable franchise in history. The saga began in 1977 when George Lucas released his first movie after striking a deal with 20th century fox in which he retained all rights to the movie and sequels and 40% of all box office sales. He began with what at the time was just Star Wars: A New Hope, now Episode 4, which grossed $1,416,050,800(one billion 416 million 50 thousand 800) to put this into perspective the cost to produce this first movie was $13 million.
In 1980 he released The Empire Strikes Back, now episode 5, which grossed $780536100(780 million 536 thousand 100). 1983 saw the release of Return of the Jedi, now Episode 6, which grossed $747772300 (747 million 772 thousand 300). Lucas decided the movies needed a prequel so in 1999 he released The Phantom Menace, episode 1, which grossed $674365200 (674 million 365 thousand 200). In 2002 Attack of the Clones, episode 2, grossed about 425 million 074 thousand 300 dollars.
In 2005 Revenge of the Sith, episode 3, grossed 471 million 630 thousand 400 dollars. Though that was supposed to be the end in 2008 the animated film Star Wars: The clone wars grossed 35 million 20 thousand 908 dollars. That brings the total star wars film series to 4 billion 550 million 450 thousand 8 dollars. In 2005 Forbes Magazine stated that the star wars franchise had grossed over $20 billion and growing, that number is believed to be closer to $27 billion now. That number is a far stretch from $4. 5 billion right?
Well the Star wars franchise includes much more than just the 6 movies box office totals. The video and DVD sales are about $3 billion 775 million as said by statistic brain. This includes all DVDs and movies from all 6 movies and Star wars the clone wars. The video game sales grossed $2. 9 billion. These games range from the oldest super Nintendo games to the newer PlayStation and Xbox games. The book sales have grossed $1. 82 billion. This is an example of just 1 of the 23 books my boyfriend alone has, all together there are over 100 books written.
The toy sales have grossed 12 billion this includes all collectibles, action figures, and toys such as puzzles, Legos, coloring books, or bobble heads that talk. The last bit is considered “other” which includes licensing, television shows, and merchandise grossed appx. $1. 304 billion to date. Merchandise includes Pez despisers, posters, and any other Star Wars affiliated product. Now let’s discuss the creator George Lucus and the producer of the movies 20th Century Fox. George Lucus’ net worth is believed to be between $3. and $3. 6 billion and growing. He wrote every movie and through negotiation kept all rights to the movies and all affiliates so to this day continues to get profits from all Star Wars licensed products. 20th century fox grossed appx. $2 billion 730 million 270 thousand 5 dollars from producing all of the movies. Originally around 1975 when they were approached by Lucus to produce the movies they were reluctant because they didn’t know if the world was ready for a major science fiction movie of this type.
It was the best risk they ever took. Now you can see that Star Wars has been the most influential franchise in history. Almost everywhere you look there is something Star Wars. The simple fact that I have never seen any of the movies and I knew most of the characters and even some quotes before this speech show its influence. This franchise has not only monetarily profited many, but has shaped the views and lives of pretty much every member of the last three generations.
