Unless you’ve been deliberately avoiding all forms of media for the past three years, you probably know that there’s a new Star Wars movie premiering this week.
In fact, not only is the epic "space opera" franchise getting another installment, its release is finally here! Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released in theaters Friday, December 18.
Understandably, there’s a lot of excitement around the new release, and we are waiting anxiously for our own turn to queue up and see the newest episode in action!
But of course, it’s hard to know how it will hold up to the originals…
After all, we’re talking about a franchise so expansive, so beloved, and so nostalgic for viewers of all ages that it’s prompted the creation of everything from a beloved series of novels to this insane a capella medley of its iconic musical score!
With that in mind, we thought that this was the perfect time to take a walk down memory lane, and look back through some of the amazing behind-the scenes photos captured on the set of the original trilogy, many of which have surfaced thanks to "Chewbacca" actor Peter Mayhew, who releases archival photos on his Twitter from time to time.
Scroll through the photos below for a flashback to what Star Wars was like before it became a blockbuster phenomenon!
An early table read for Stars Wars: Episode IV shows the three leads, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) discussing the script with producer Gary Kurtz and Irvin Kershner.
None of the three lead actors had experienced much success in the industry so far, and none of them anticipated that Star Wars would make them internationally famous.
Peter Mayhew's Chewbacca getting just a little too handsy with Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.
Creator George Lucas posing with a miniature of a Star Destroyer used in filming.
Harrison Ford gets into costume for a sequence in which Han Solo and Luke Skywalker impersonate Storm Troopers to hide aboard the Death Star.
Anthony Daniels, who played the droid C-3PO, on-set with two little girls, both daughters of producer Gary Kurtz, and both who played Jawas in the film.
Kenny Baker, who played the droid R2-D2, preparing to climb into the metal canister that made up his costume.
George Lucas gives direction to Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) in a scene featuring Luke and the smuggling duo of Han Solo and his Wookiee partner, Chewie.
On location in Tunisia, the film crew captures Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Mark Hamill in a scene in which Guinness' character rescues Luke Skywalker from Tusken Raiders.
Click to the next page to see the crew's hilarious improvised solution when one of their actors was too big for the set!
Film crews capture Han Solo and Chewbacca in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon.
Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca, stands 7'4" and was so tall that his feet had to stick out of a hole cut in the bottom of the craft.
Carrie Fisher and her stunt double catch some rays on set, both wearing Princess Leia's trademark chainmail bikini from her time as a captive of Jabba the Hutt.
The mask for the character of the Jedi master Yoda is examined by, left to right, designer Stuart Freeborn, voice actor Frank Oz, and master puppeteer, Jim Henson.
A bird's-eye view of the set for the smuggling ship Millennium Falcon.
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) taking a coffee break during filming.
Mark Hamill has a conversation with David Prowse, who played Darth Vader for parts of the movie — and Peter Cushing, who played Grand Moff Tarkin.
Hamill and Cushing didn't share any scenes, so Hamill reportedly came on set that day especially to meet him.
Carrie Fisher modeling Princess Leia's notorious double-bun hairstyle.
Mark Hamill gestures at the prop mask used for the character Yoda, a wise Jedi who helped to mentor Luke Skywalker throughout the franchise.
Did you love seeing these behind-the-scenes images from America's most beloved film franchise? Will you be seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens this week?
Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE on Facebook for your friends who love the original trilogy!
