The success of Star Wars in 1977 was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, revolutionizing the science fiction genre and Hollywood filmmaking in general. But its impact was so profound that it set an untouchably high bar for any subsequent space opera film that dared to explore the stars. It casted such a large shadow that it had the unintended consequence of making filmmakers wary of diving into the space opera genre, for fear of being branded as mere imitators.

A Void

Star Wars was not just a movie; it was a defining moment in Hollywood history. It blended cutting-edge special effects with timeless storytelling, offering audiences a universe rich with adventure, heroism, and complex mythology. The film’s unprecedented success and die-hard fanbase set a benchmark that was nearly impossible to match. For many filmmakers, the prospect of creating their own sci-fi space opera after Star Wars was daunting. The genre would forever be associated with George Lucas's groundbreaking work. Any new project risked being labeled a "ripoff" or "clone" of Lucas’s vision. The term “ripoff” became a loaded label in Hollywood, often leading to significant resistance from studios and financiers who were eager to avoid comparisons or negative connotations.

Filmmakers faced immense pressure to deliver visually stunning space adventures with similarly compelling narratives, which was no easy feat. Thus, the industry was reluctant to invest in projects that might not live up to the standard set by Star Wars, and studios often shied away from the genre altogether, preferring safer bets. This cautious approach persisted for years, with few large-scale sci-fi movies making it to the big screen. Once in a blue moon, films like Blade Runner, The Fifth Element, The Matrix, and Galaxy Quest would release, showing that science fiction could thrive outside the shadow of Star Wars, but the space adventure theme still remained scarce.

Signs of Life

In the 2000s a renewed interest in space adventures began to immerge, most notably on television with shows like Stargate SG-1, Firefly, and Battlestar Galactica, though filmmakers had to navigate the delicate balance between homage and innovation to avoid being seen as mere imitations. It wasn't until the 2010s that we finally started to see a true comeback with films like Interstellar, Ad Astra, Dune, the revamped Star Trek, and the launch of the MCU; TV shows like The Expanse, Foundation, Dark Matter, and The Orville; and international films like Space Sweepers, and The Wandering Earth.

Because of the reluctance among filmmakers to venture out into the stars for fear of being seen as copycats, it took entire generations for space opera to regain their footing. As good as Star Wars was, it effectively removing an entire genre from consideration.