This is not just a movie, and this is not just George Lucas trying to make a buck (He already has billions of those). This is a continuation of a legacy that began in 1977 when Lucas allowed North American pop culture to travel to a galaxy far, far away. This is “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and despite your taste in film genre or opinion on the $600 billion Hollywood industry, this movie will awaken millions as they flood the gates of film history on Dec. 18.

Making film history takes more than a modern Princess Leia lookalike and over $6.5 million dollars in pre-ticket sales, however. This film is no doubt going to make history, for better or for worse. No matter how glamorously authentic the film is portrayed, there will be uproar from millions to decide whether or not tampering with a classic was worth the risk of legacy destruction.

Set in the future in regards to the previous two trilogies, the first of the new Star Wars trilogy occurs about 30 years after the events that took place in Return of the Jedi (see Tim Mikulski’s article). Original characters Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo will be featured in the new film, along with new characters such as protagonists Finn and antagonist Kylo Ren. The film’s production follows this parallel of combining retro with modern, as tickets are being sold to view the film as an IMAX 3D experience as well as standard.

Most differentially, however, is that the Force Awakens was not directed or written by Lucas, but rather served as a creative consultant through the early stages of production. This is the least-involved Lucas has been in a Star Wars production, and as premier day approaches, much debate has occurred on whether or not this production will serve the empire of films dutifully or shamefully.

Despite debate, the Force Awakens’ YouTube trailer has over 13 million views already, and unlike the last Star Wars film that was made in 2005, has achieved a record-shattering pre-sale profit that surpasses any other film in history. Now, when the force awakens on Dec. 18, the Star Wars empire will strike back at a 38-year legacy, while empowering a new hope (or defeat) surrounding the modern-day movie industry.