Galactic Empire (Star Wars) Galactic Empire (Star Wars) The Galactic Empire is a fictional autocracy featured in the "Star Wars" franchise. It was first introduced in the 1977 film "Star Wars" and also appears in its two sequels: "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and "Return of the Jedi" (1983) and is the main antagonist faction of the original trilogy. By the time of the sequel trilogy, which starts three decades following the events of the original trilogy, the government has since collapsed and has been succeeded by the First Order. The Empire's origins are depicted in the prequel "" (2005), where it replaces the
Resistance (Star Wars) the events of "" (2015), the First Order used its star system destroying superweapon on Starkiller Base to shatter the New Republic government and starfleet, leaving the galaxy vulnerable for conquest, only to be opposed by the Resistance, whose fears had come true. The Resistance is the main protagonist-faction in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, first introduced in the 2015 film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and continuing to appear in "" (2017). It is expected to appear in "" (2019). One year after the Battle of Endor (depicted in "Return of the Jedi"), following Imperial defeat at the Battle