In a unique twist on the iconic Star Wars franchise, two vintage-looking trailers for the original film and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace have been reimagined in a 1950s style using artificial intelligence. These trailers capture the lighting and color palette commonly seen in 1950s wide-screen trailers, complete with nostalgic music and voiceover narration reminiscent of classic movie theater experience.
Created by Abandoned Films, the trailers are part of a series of AI-generated films on YouTube and Instagram that explore “movies that could have been.” Using AI image- and video-generating tools like Midjourney and Runway, as well as an AI voice generator, Eleven Labs, the account adds a unique twist to well-known films. While some tweaking is done in Photoshop, the AI-generated characters closely resemble the actors who originally portrayed them.
Despite some challenges with generating realistic facial features and body movements, such as Han Solo’s melting eyeball or Princess Leia’s distorted face, Star Wars fans have praised the trailers for their aesthetic appeal. Many have expressed excitement about the idea of Star Wars existing in a 1950s cultural context, comparing the trailers to classic television shows like I Love Lucy and Leave It To Beaver.
The alternate reality presented in these trailers has sparked imaginations and led to speculation about what Star Wars would have looked like if it had been made in an earlier time period. Some commenters on YouTube have likened the experience to a blend of nostalgia and a strange dream, with comparisons to George Lucas’s early concept art by Ralph McQuarrie. The cozy and familiar feel of the 1950s style has resonated with fans, who envision the success of a full-length film made in this format today.
Abandoned Films, based in Mexico, has also released 1950s-style trailers for other sci-fi blockbusters such as Alien, The Matrix, Dune, Tron, The Lord of the Rings, and The Terminator. Each trailer offers a unique take on familiar characters and storylines, with AI-generated twists that add a new dimension to these beloved films. Fans have applauded the creativity and imagination behind these reimagined trailers, welcoming the opportunity to experience their favorite movies in a retro-futuristic setting.
