The Empire Strikes Back
A haunting space opera that plunges into despair, this cinematic symphony of shadow and light explores the difficult passage into adulthood against a backdrop of galactic war.
The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back

"The Star Wars saga continues."

20 May 1980 United States of America 124 min ⭐ 8.4 (17,719)
Director: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels
Action Adventure Science Fiction
Good vs. Evil The Hero's Journey and Failure Fate vs. Free Will Friendship and Loyalty
Budget: $18,000,000
Box Office: $538,400,000

The Empire Strikes Back - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details

Easter Eggs

In the asteroid field sequence, one of the asteroids is actually a potato. Another is a shoe.

These were inside jokes from the special effects team at Industrial Light & Magic. Frustrated with the numerous changes requested by George Lucas, they playfully inserted these mundane objects into the chaotic asteroid field.

The designation of the cell where Han, Leia, and Chewbacca are held in Cloud City is 2187.

This is a recurring Easter egg in the Star Wars universe. It's a reference to the 1964 experimental short film '21-87' by Arthur Lipsett, which had a significant influence on George Lucas. Princess Leia's cell on the Death Star in 'A New Hope' was also 2187.