Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back - Verbal Diorama

Episode 358

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Published on: 24th September, 2026

The Empire Strikes Back is often called the best film in the Star Wars saga, and it started with a decision that seems almost unthinkable in retrospect.

George Lucas, creatively burnt out after directing the first film, chose not to direct the sequel at all. Instead he handed the reins to his old USC film professor Irvin Kershner, hired veteran pulp sci-fi writer Leigh Brackett to draft the screenplay, and set about building Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic into more than one-hit studio products.

Brackett's now-legendary first draft featured a very different Yoda, a very different Lando, and a twin sister for Luke that never made it to screen, but Lucas and a young Lawrence Kasdan reshaped the story into the darker, more ambiguous film we know, including the introduction of one of cinema's most famous twists.

The Empire Strikes Back's production is as dramatic a story as anything in the film itself. Lucas bet his own solvency on financing the sequel independently, taking out a loan to keep Fox's creative hands off the project, only to watch the budget balloon during the shoot and the bank pull its financing mid-production.

That gamble very nearly sank the film, but it ultimately paid off in ways that reshaped Lucasfilm's entire business model, particularly around merchandising rights, and ultimately a film that ends in defeat, with its heroes scattered, became the template for how blockbuster sequels are allowed to work.

Support Verbal Diorama

Loved this episode? Here's how you can help:

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on your podcast app

💰 Join the Patreon for bonus content and early access

☕ Send a tip to support the show

📱 Share this episode with fellow film lovers

Get In Touch

I would love to hear your thoughts on Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

About Verbal Diorama

Ear Worthy 2024 Best Movie Podcast Winner | Golden Lobes 2025 Earworm Award Nominee | Ear Worthy 2025 Best Movie Podcast Nominee | Golden Lobes 2026 Earworm Award Nominee

Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em.

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

Thank You to Our Patreon Supporters

Current Patrons: Simon, Laurel, Derek, Cat, Andy, Mike, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian, Lisa, Sam, Jack, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Danny, Stu, Brett, Xenos, Sean, Ryno, Philip, Adam, Elaine, Aaron and Steve.

Thank you for supporting Verbal Diorama.

Mentioned in this episode:

Please consider supporting this podcast on Patreon

Patreon



This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
All Episodes Previous Episode

Get in touch!

Comments? Suggestions? Questions? Fill in the simple form below to get in touch with Verbal Diorama.

Current Patreon supporters

Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Cat, Andy, Mike, Luke, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian M, Lisa, Sam, Jack, Stuart, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Heather, Danny, Stu, Brett, Philip M, Xenos, Sean, Ryno, Philip K, Adam, Elaine, Kyle and Aaron.

Past Patreon supporters

Simon E, Claudia, Sade, Vern, Kristin, Paul, Emily, Matt, Trevor, Mark, Binge Daddy, Will, boyflea, Chris, Ian D, Jason, Sunni, Drew, Pete, Haley, Aly, Tyler, Jonathan, Michele and Russell


Support Verbal Diorama

A huge thank you to our supporters, it means a lot that you support our podcast.

If you like the podcast and want to support it, too, you can leave us a tip using the button below. We really appreciate it and it only takes a moment!
Support Verbal Diorama
J
JAILLUD £20
Working my way through your content, every episode offers amazing insight, keep up the good work! JAILLUD on Letterboxd
A
Adam Bell £10
Happy Birthday Tip! Great Prey ep. Not seen it before. I liked how by putting her tomahawk on a rope Naru no longer had to ‘get to the choppah!’
A
Adam Bell £20
Really enjoyed Bourne Identity and Edge Of Tomorrow episodes last night. I’ve had a crap few weeks recently and these brightened the day!
E
EdamBall £10
Thanks for the Star Trek podcast! As for Khan, +1 for that. Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Listen for free

Show artwork for Verbal Diorama

About the Podcast

Verbal Diorama
The award-winning indie film history podcast celebrating the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't.
The award-winning indie film history podcast celebrating the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't.

Have you ever wondered how your favourite movies were made? Hosted by Em, Verbal Diorama is a movie podcast that takes you behind the scenes to discover the extraordinary stories of cast and crew who bring classic films, blockbuster films, and cult films to life.

Movies are tough to make, and this podcast proves how amazing it is that they actually exist. From Hollywood classics to hidden gems, each episode explores the behind-the-scenes history, legacy, and untold filmmaking stories that make cinema history.

Ear Worthy 2024 Best Movie Podcast Winner | Golden Lobes 2025 Earworm Award Nominee | Ear Worthy 2025 Best Movie Podcast Nominee | Golden Lobes 2026 Earworm Award Nominee

New episodes weekly. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast app.
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Em .

Em .

Hi! I'm Em. I created Verbal Diorama in 2018, and launched the podcast in February 2019 to rapturous applause and acclaim.... from my cat Jess.

The modus operandi of Verbal Diorama is simple: movies are tough to make! The coming together of a team of people from all walks of life to make something to entertain, delight and educate us for 90+ mins is not an easy task, and yet so many succeed at it. That must be something to celebrate.

I'm here to do just that - to celebrate movies. Their history and legacy, and why they remain so special to so many of us.

Episodes are audibly book ended by Jess. She sadly passed away in March 2022, aged almost 18. She featured in many episodes of the podcast, and that's why you can hear her at the end of every episode. The role of official feline producer is now held by the comparatively quieter Evie and Peggy.

I love podcasts, and listen to many, but never my own.

I unashamedly love The Mummy (1999) and Grease 2. I'm still looking for a cool rider.