And even then, the “IV” was meant to evoke the feeling of being dropped into an ongoing narrative, as opposed to actually being part of one. Lucas hadn’t actually set anything in stone. In 1978, he was still going with the idea that Vader wasn’t Luke’s father. That reveal in Empire Strikes Back is the most influential movie retcon of all time.
For further clarity for people unfamiliar - in medias res is not starting in the middle of the story exactly, but rather not beginning at the beginning of everything. Star Wars begins in medias res without a prequel or sequel trilogy at all - famously beginning with a Rebel ship being fired upon.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark starts in media res as well, as a related example.
In medias res is a narrative technique possibly as old as storytelling. Used in Hamlet and The Oddessy just for starters.
Don’t give George Lucas more credit than he deserves. “Episode IV” wasn’t even added to the opening crawl until it was re-released.
And even then, the “IV” was meant to evoke the feeling of being dropped into an ongoing narrative, as opposed to actually being part of one. Lucas hadn’t actually set anything in stone. In 1978, he was still going with the idea that Vader wasn’t Luke’s father. That reveal in Empire Strikes Back is the most influential movie retcon of all time.
It was a huge deal when ‘Empire…’ came out and it had ‘Episode V’ in the title. iirc
For further clarity for people unfamiliar - in medias res is not starting in the middle of the story exactly, but rather not beginning at the beginning of everything. Star Wars begins in medias res without a prequel or sequel trilogy at all - famously beginning with a Rebel ship being fired upon.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark starts in media res as well, as a related example.
In medias res literally translates as “in the middle of things”
Yes. That is also true.