Have you noticed something different about the new Star Wars movie, Solo? Other than the fact that Harrison Ford isn’t playing Hans. For the first time since the original movie, Star Wars has used its stylized logo font for the title of the movie. But why?
Yeah, we’re doing this. We’re going to look at the fonts for every single Star Wars movie. You ready? It’s about to get really geeky.
“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” We all know the line. The sight of the yellow text disappearing into space gets any sci-fi enthusiast excited.
It’s the line that also found its way on the poster for the original 1977 movie (A New Hope). That tagline and credits were set in ITC Serif Gothic, while the first run of the Star Wars logo (it didn’t stick) was custom-drawn by Ralph McQuarrie in a blocky sans serif that corresponded with the perspective of the opening crawl.
By the time the Empire Strikes Back hit the big screen in 1980, the iconic Star Wars logo (that stuck) finally shows up on the main theatrical poster.
The logo was originally designed by Suzy Rice. Lucas told her he wanted “something that is very fascist,” would be “intimidating,” and that would “rival AT&T.” The night before, Rice had been reading a book on German type design. The Nazi designs of minister Joseph Goebbels inspired her and thus we have the iconic logo.
For the title, typographers guess it was probably hand-lettered, once again, to resemble German type design. The credits are set in ITC Avant Garde Gothic.
When the return of the Jedi came out three years later, there was a huge change in the typography. The designers turn to a serif font—the Times typeface with an elongated tail on the J, setting a new face for future film sagas.
The second trilogy (prequels) were released heading into the 21st century. The Trajan typeface replaced Times for many film sagas, so its appearance on the posters is pretty self-explanatory. The supporting typeface is Albertus (a precursor to Trajan). Both typefaces have chiseled looks, enhanced by gradients and bevels. The logo got a metallic treatment in all three movies.
Almost four decades after our the original Star Wars movie, we see the return of ITC Serif Gothic in the title for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The ‘70s stalwart will most likely tie up the trilogy with the final movie.
The first stand-alone Star Wars story, Rogue One, uses Trajan again. We’re guessing the designers did this to help subconsciously distinguish the timeline of the story—after the prequels and before the original trilogy. It’s also a font that just works for films like these.
All of these movies leading up to Solo have at least two fonts working together, one for the logo and one for the title. Sometimes there’s even three. But this time the designers chose to use the one stylized logo font for the title. A total game changer in Star Wars typography design! The first time they’ve done this since the original movie. But why?
We think it’s same reason ITC Serif Gothic was brought back for the sequels. To transport us back in time. To get back to the roots of the saga. To make an impact. It’s the nostalgia factor.
Not to mention, it totally fits the overall vibe of the movie. Lando's extravagant capes, Val’s afro, the grungy city and black markets of Correllia, the lucky dice, and the rebellious pilot we grew to love. It’s bold. Not subtle at all. Then again, when have Hans and Chewie ever been subtle?
Could it be because they wanted to use a “solo” font? As cheesy as it is, that could be a possibility.
Do you like the look of the Solo promo material? What’s your favorite promo artwork of the entire Star Wars saga?
