<p>From the moment <strong><em>Star Wars</em></strong> burst onto the screen in 1977, audiences have been in equal parts fascinated and appalled by the half-man/half-machine hybrid <strong>Darth Vader</strong>. In 1999, creator <strong>George Lucas</strong> began the story of how Anakin Skywalker grew up to train as a Jedi under Obi-Wan Kenobi, found love with the Queen of Naboo, Padm¿midala, before turning to the dark side of his nature and becoming more machine than man.<br/><br/> After driving the development of <strong>nascent digital technology</strong>, George Lucas perceived how he could create new creatures and new worlds on a grander scale than ever before. He created the <strong>first digital blockbuster</strong>, and <strong>met fierce resistance</strong> when he pushed for widespread digital cameras, sets, characters, and projection ¿ all of which are now used throughout the industry. He essentially <strong>popularized the modern way of making movies</strong>.<br/><br/>