The original Star Wars film was a masterpiece and redefined the way that movies were made. As a result, the series it began has become one of the most influential franchises in cinema history. As such, it holds a unique place in the pantheon of genre films…and gives us a unique perspective on both science fiction and fantasy. In this retrospective review, we explore what the Star Wars franchise’s journey can teach us about writing for these genres and how to tell amazing new stories moving forward.