How Steven Spielberg Changed Star Wars History
With Disclosure Day (2026) finally here, Steven Spielberg is back on the map and reminding the world why he’s one of, if not the greatest, modern directors ever. But sci-fi isn’t just something that he’s good at making; he’s also influenced it in ways that no one would’ve thought.
Through a film like Jaws (1975), which has nothing to do with sci-fi, a unique chain of events led Spielberg to influence a great franchise. Now, it’s hard not to imagine a franchise like Star Wars being the way it is, and a huge part of that is thanks to Steven Spielberg.
Jaws is Still Steven Spielberg’s Biggest Film
Steven Spielberg is a legend in cinema and still makes films today. Yet, no matter how impressive his filmography is, nothing will ever compare to what he accomplished with Jaws. Even if it’s a simple film about some people trying to kill a deadly shark, its structure makes it a perfect blockbuster, thriller, and horror film.
It’s hard to make history, and yet Spielberg continues to make it look easy, largely thanks to Jaws. Working with a broken shark and going over budget, it wasn’t an easy success. However, he pulled something off wth his cast and crew, all the way down to the music. John Williams’ simple yet iconic notes still send chills down the spines of fans and make you wonder how safe swimming in the ocean really is. When it comes to Williams, though, this banner score was only one of many more.
Steven Spielberg Brought Together Two Legends
According to Spielberg, he was called to John Williams’ house to discuss the Jaws theme. Of course, when all Williams had were two notes building in tempo, Spielberg was unsure if he was being serious or not. However, once Williams got to showcase the song with an orchestra, the idea became the terrifying tune we know and love.
During the rehearsal, Spielberg also called George Lucas and let him listen to the song over the phone. Both Lucas and Spielberg, beyond being good friends, were also fans of classic films. Lucas remarked how classic Williams’ sound was, and it was Spielberg who recommended the composer to work on Star Wars.
It’s strange to think about how a passive conversation changed the course of cinema forever. But it’s also a lesson in how any random moment can make history, and none of us would ever know when it was happening.
Star Wars’ Music is Timeless Decades Later
John Williams is a musical legend. His work on other Spielberg projects, like Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), has become equally beloved by fans. However, his work on Star Wars is something that can’t be scoffed at, not only for the pieces he’s made but also for the sheer volume.
Williams has scored every Star Wars film in the Skywalker saga and delivered iconic themes beyond the main one, such as the “Imperial March” and “Duel of the Fates.” Everything that Williams has done for Star Wars has defined a generation and also the mythic quality of George Lucas’ works.
Beyond the amount of work he has accomplished, Williams has also made Star Wars feel timeless. Nothing has quite measured up, in any genre, to what Williams accomplished with the 1977 film, and that’s no small feat. All of the franchise’s tragedy, heroism, adventure, and fun feelings that you experience are owed to Williams’ participation, and that’s all because of a random phone call between Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
