10 Movie Concepts That Shouldn't Have Worked (But Somehow Did)

Even 11 live-action movies, countless TV shows and a whole host of other fiction/merchandise into the series' 40+ year legacy, the fact that Star Wars was actually allowed to even become a thing stands as a miracle in itself.

Way back in 1977, George Lucas had the obscure idea to film an adaptation of the Flash Gordon series, but he struggled to obtain the rights to the characters. So, he decided to throw caution to the wind and produce his own epic space opera, instead.

This story would involve wizards in space who could manipulate things by using the power of 'the force' and battled against the faceless forces of evil - in the form of the Empire - with the big baddie being a tall guy dressed in black, equipped with an elaborate gas-mask covering his face.

How any studio could get their heads around the concept of Siths, Death Stars and a young farm-boy called Luke Starkiller (later changed to Skywalker) is a question for another list, but when 20th Century Fox chose to take a punt on Lucasfilm's independent sci-fi adventure they changed the world forever.

Star Wars would go on to inspire a generation and - despite Lucas' best attempts to derail the franchise with the prequels - the force is still strong with a story that has now found itself under the House of Mouse banner.

More fool anyone who 'had a bad feeling about this' one, ey?