“If I’m not mistaken, “Star Wars” was originally a Stand Alone movie, an old-fashioned sci-fi Western/swashbuckler movie, a tribute to the old Errol Flynn flicks.
Back in the 1970’s there were so many “gritty, realistic” movies going around a lot of folks wanted to see something more escapist.
I think every Stars Wars movie since then was something they made up on the fly, rather than a calculated decision.”
I’m not so sure about that. I remember when Star Wars first came out there were several novels that were out at the time that were both sequels and prequels. I specifically remember the title Clone Wars from 1977. I even remember talk way back then (1977) that there was supposed to be 3 in the series, then 3 prequels, and then 3 more for a total of 9 movies.
That's correct. I saw Episode 4 in 1977 on opening day in 1977 at the Coronet Theater in SF. It was well known then that Lucas intended to do the nine movies in his lifetime. The rumors were that he even signed Mark Hamill to a long-term contract for the last three episodes when Hamill would be in his fifties, rumors were discounted after Hamill's accident.