The Evolution Of Star Wars

By Benjamin Nugent And Heather Won Tesoriero

THE FORCE, GOOD AND BAD

DARTH VADER In Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn sees potential in 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker. By II, the teenage Jedi-in-training has begun to rebel against his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

AMIDALA The teenage Queen of Naboo defends her people in Episode I. In II, she falls in love with Anakin, the future father of her children, Luke and Leia.

LUKE AND LEIA Luke and Vader battle in V and VI but reconcile when the dark lord dies. Meanwhile, Luke's twin sister Leia strangles Jabba the Hut and fights for the freedom of Endor.

OBI-WANKENOBI In Episode II, the Jedi knight schools Anakin in the ways of the Force. In IV, his protege kills him; in V and VI, he returns as a specter to guide Luke.

C-3PO AND R2-D2 In Episode I, C-3PO is 9-year-old Anakin's science project. He befriends R2-D2 on planet Naboo and later acquires his golden outer shell.

PALPATINE The Naboo senator of Episode I becomes the Republic's Supreme Chancellor in II. He resurfaces in holographic form as the Emperor, Vader's boss, in V, then in the flesh in VI.

TOUGH GUYS

In Episode II, bounty hunter Jango Fett is the template for an army of clone troopers that look like an early version of the Empire's storm troopers. But Jango's only pure clone is his son Boba, who is Luke's formidable opponent in V and VI.

The heavily armed bounty hunter Jango Fett makes his debut in Attack of the Clones

THE FLEETS

TRADE FEDERATION/EMPIRE STARFIGHTERS In Episode I, Darth Maul tools around in a Sith Infiltrator and droid starfighters attack Naboo. The Empire's TIE fighters defend the Death Star in IV.

ALLIANCE STARFIGHTERS The yellow Naboo N-1 starfighters square off against droid fighters in Episode I. Obi-Wan Kenobi flies a pared-down Jedi starfighter in II. In IV, the rebels rely on nimble X-wings.