The promotional artwork created for the third film in the original Star Wars trilogy represents a key element of the film’s marketing and cultural impact. These images, used on billboards, in print advertisements, and on various merchandise, visually communicated the culmination of the Skywalker saga to audiences. Variations exist, showcasing different characters and scenes to attract diverse segments of the moviegoing public. For example, the “Style A” one-sheet features Luke Skywalker wielding a green lightsaber, while others emphasize the reunion of Luke, Leia, and Han Solo.
Such artwork served not only to advertise the films release but also to become iconic representations of the movie itself. These visuals solidified key characters and scenes within popular culture, contributing to the enduring legacy of the franchise. The artworks distinct style, often incorporating painted illustrations or photo-collage techniques, became synonymous with the films aesthetic, influencing subsequent science fiction artwork and marketing campaigns. This imagery holds historical significance, reflecting design trends of the early 1980s and capturing the excitement surrounding the concluding chapter of the original trilogy.