Rise of the Resistance feels real because its design called for real things, says Lucasfilm VP Doug Chiang

George Lucas didn’t know it at the time, but his creation of Star Wars would generations of audiences to other worlds where space adventures and action could live and play. And while that’s very true, what’s also true is that Lucas’ budget in making these iconic films couldn’t afford the R&D necessary to make lightsabers and spaceships real.

That, however, did not stop him from trying to make them look real. Star Wars movie fans would be keen to knowing that much of what you see in the original trilogy films and the films that would follow would contain masterfully designed props and sets – that were made from cardboard and even white disco boots (for the Stormtroopers).

That same design sense has continued outside the films and into Disney’s theme parks with everyday items used to make props and sets for Star Tours, and now, Batuu aka Galaxy’s Edge.

All of this can be seen in the newest attraction at Black Spire Outpost – Rise of the Resistance, now open at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts.

We caught up with Lucasfilm VP and executive creative director for the Star Wars franchise, Doug Chiang, who worked on the attraction and entire land, to tell us about that long history of design, as well as why it feels so real.

Enjoy our exclusive video above!