If you close your eyes and think of 1977, you probably see it. Luke Skywalker standing heroically with a lightsaber pointed toward the stars, Princess Leia lounging at his feet, and the looming, mechanical mask of Darth Vader haunting the background. That Star Wars Episode 4 poster is more than just a piece of marketing. It is a cultural anchor. Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think that a single sheet of paper could essentially invent the "blockbuster" aesthetic we’re still stuck with today.
When George Lucas was getting ready to release Star Wars—before anyone knew it as A New Hope—the marketing was a mess. Nobody knew how to sell a "space opera." Fox thought it would flop. But then came the art.
The Style A Poster That Changed Everything
The most famous version is often called the "Style A" poster. It was painted by Tom Jung. Lucas originally wanted something that felt like a fantasy novel cover, something that screamed adventure but felt "used" and "lived-in." Jung took that concept and ran with it. He used a dark, moody palette that made the lightsaber pop like a neon sign.
You’ve probably noticed Luke looks a bit... different. In Jung’s painting, Luke Skywalker is shredded. He’s got an open tunic and muscles that Mark Hamill definitely wasn't sporting in the actual film. It was a conscious choice. They wanted to tap into the "Sword and Sorcery" vibe that was huge in the 70s. Leia, too, looks more like a character out of a Frank Frazetta painting than the diplomatic rebel leader we see on screen. It’s romanticized. It's high drama.
Then you have the "Style B" and "Style C" variations. The Brothers Hildebrandt, Greg and Tim, produced a version in a frantic 36-hour sprint. Theirs is even more painterly, with heavy glows and a sort of fairy-tale luminescence. It’s the one many collectors obsess over because of the sheer vibrancy of the colors.
🔗 Read more: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Why the Tom Jung Version Won
Market testing (which was becoming a thing back then) showed that Jung's composition had better "eye flow." Your eyes start at Vader, move down to Luke’s saber, and then settle on the title. It’s a literal roadmap for the movie’s stakes.
The Weird History of the 1977 Circus Poster
There’s a version of the Star Wars Episode 4 poster that most casual fans have never seen. It’s known as the "Circus" poster, designed by Drew Struzan and Charles White III. Why "Circus"? Because it looks like it was pasted onto a wooden fence, with torn edges and a vintage, vaudeville feel.
The story goes that the studio wanted something different for a re-release. Struzan and White had to collaborate because they were running out of time. They actually painted it on a surface that mimicked a weathered billboard. It’s gorgeous. It’s also one of the few posters where Obi-Wan Kenobi gets a prominent spot alongside the younger cast.
Struzan eventually became the "Star Wars guy," doing the art for the Special Editions and the Prequels. But it all started with that weird, torn-edge experiment.
💡 You might also like: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Spotting a Fake vs. an Original
If you’re looking to buy an original 1977 one-sheet, be careful. The market is flooded with reprints.
Genuine Star Wars Episode 4 posters from the initial 1977 run have very specific tell-tale signs. For example, look at the bottom right corner. An original "Style A" poster usually features a GAU (Graphic Arts Union) logo. If that logo is blurry or missing, you’re looking at a bootleg. Also, size matters. Authentic theatrical one-sheets from that era are almost always 27" x 41", not the modern standard of 27" x 40".
- Check the folds: Original posters from the 70s were almost always sent to theaters folded. If someone is selling a "mint condition, never folded" 1977 poster for $50, it’s fake.
- Paper weight: Real posters are printed on a heavier, slightly textured stock. Modern reprints feel like thin, glossy magazine paper.
- The "Hair" Test: In some early printings of the Style A, there is a tiny stray mark near Luke’s belt that looks like a hair. Collectors go nuts for these "hair" versions.
The Global Variations
Japan and Italy had their own takes. The Japanese posters often focused more on the droids or the sheer scale of the Death Star. The Italian "L'Incrociatore Stellare" posters are basically fine art. They used different title treatments and often emphasized the "Space War" aspect over the hero's journey.
International posters are often more affordable for new collectors, but they lack that visceral "Style A" punch that defined the American childhood in the late seventies.
📖 Related: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
How to Start Your Collection
Don't just go to eBay and type in "Star Wars poster." You'll get 10,000 hits of garbage. Instead, look for reputable auction houses like Heritage Auctions or specialized film poster galleries.
If you can't afford a $5,000 original, look for the 10th-anniversary posters or the 1997 Special Edition prints. They carry the same DNA but at a fraction of the cost. Or, honestly, just get a high-quality "lithograph" reprint. There's no shame in it if you just want the art on your wall.
Actionable Insights for Collectors:
- Verify Dimensions: Measure twice. 27" x 41" is the golden rule for 77 originals.
- Inspect the GAU Logo: If it’s not there, it’s not a theatrical original.
- Linen Backing: If you find a real one, get it linen-backed by a professional. It preserves the paper and flattens those old fold lines without damaging the value.
- UV Protection: Never hang a vintage poster in direct sunlight. The blue inks fade first, leaving you with a weird, pink-tinted Darth Vader in about six months.
The Star Wars Episode 4 poster isn't just a piece of paper. It’s the visual shorthand for an entire universe. Whether it's the shredded Luke of the Style A or the gritty "Circus" version, these images are why we still care about a "galaxy far, far away" nearly five decades later.