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
Star Wars: The Last Jedi final cut. Hugh Skinner cameos as a Resistance Officer. In October 2012, "Star Wars" creator George Lucas sold his production company Lucasfilm, and with it the "Star Wars" franchise, to The Walt Disney Company. Disney announced a new trilogy of "Star Wars" films. J. J. Abrams was named director of the first episode in the trilogy, "The Force Awakens", in January 2013. In June 2014, director Rian Johnson was reported to be in talks to write and direct its sequel, "Episode VIII", and to write a treatment for the third film, "Episode IX", with Ram Bergman producing both films. Johnson