May The Force Be With You: Building A Galaxy

In celebration of May the 4th, we’re looking at the impact the Star Wars series has had on the British construction industry.

May the 4th, followed swiftly by Revenge of the 5th, has become a much-loved yearly tradition for Star Wars fans. An opportunity to celebrate the classic space opera series and rewatch the films, re-read the books and dive into some of the iconic video games of the last few decades. 

But the Star Wars franchise means so much more to Great Britain than many fans might realise. Because a huge portion of the series has been shot and produced in the UK, providing massive opportunities for the construction industry to contribute to the galaxy far, far away. 

The Original Trilogy 

One of the most daunting tasks of the original Star Wars was shooting in the Tunisian desert. The hot and unforgiving environment almost tore the production schedule apart as it doubled for the barren Tatooine.  It was a far cry from where the majority of the film was actually filmed, in Elstree Studios, in Hertfordshire, England. 

With over 30 sets built, including the Death Star and Mos Eisley Cantina, the elaborate production requirements meant that all hands were on deck to make sure George Lucas’ vision was brought to life. The used and old aesthetic of the series was supported by Britain’s unique range of industrial materials, with WWII infrastructure, scrap metal and leftover construction stock forming the basis of the brand’s imagery. 

The Millennium Falcon, for instance, was built in an old aircraft hangar from British airplane parts and scraps. Miniatures, which doubled for larger-than-life ships, by contrast, were built with off-cuts from Airfix kits and model railways. In fact, the original Star Wars series ended up being a predominantly UK-run production, local construction crews becoming integral to its future success. 

Returning To The Skywalker Saga 

As many will be aware, the Star Wars saga is now bigger than ever. After Lucas’ prequel trilogy in the late 90s and early 2000s, Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm meant that a sequel trilogy and spinoff shows and films were commissioned. As was tradition, the galaxy returned to Great Britain, once again boosting the economy. 

It is currently estimated that the Star Wars series is contributing around £150 million to the UK, with a huge portion of that growth going to the building industry, which is still on the front lines of set construction. With the nation’s film industry also expanding by £2.8 billion in 2025, Star Wars can partially be credited for providing opportunities for skills growth and forming a firmer reputation for those construction crews who are constantly called to set.

With the latest Star Wars film, Starfighter, currently being shot in Pinewood Studios in the UK, it seems that the relationship between the saga and the British construction industry is sure to continue. As the franchise continues to lean further into doing things practically, moving away from CGI adjustments for a more tactile feel, it would seem that the business of building on films is about to be shot into hyperspace.