[Tax-chick]

thinking science fiction is some computer graphics-laden space opera/western filled with shootouts, territorial disputes, evil patriarchs and trusty mounts (like the Millennium Falcon).

Of course it is, among other timeless plots laced with sciency-things. "Star Wars" has a particularly aristocratic Space Western origin, since the writer of "The Empire Strikes Back," Leigh Brackett, also wrote a couple of classic John Wayne movies ("El Dorado," "Rio Bravo").

She was also a very successful science fiction author in the 1930s. The "science" is dated - nobody thinks humans could survive on Mercury anymore - but a good story is a good story, and a good story can be made into a successful movie.

[Bratch]

Gene Roddenberry pitched Star Trek to the networks as a "Wagon Train" in space.

[ReignOfError]

Star Wars is a story about a farm boy, an old wizard and a pirate who rescue a princess from an evil sorcerer in an impregnable castle. The sci-fi part is just window dressing.

[TalBlack]

Never cared for sci fi but I’m starting to feel a little embarrassed that I’ve never seen ‘Star Wars’ or any of it’s progeny.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Leigh Brackett, also wrote a couple of classic John Wayne movies (”El Dorado,” “Rio Bravo”). ***

She only wrote one. Rio Bravo received a “haircut” and became El Dorado, which received a “haircut” and a few Civil War scenes and became Rio Lobo.

Same script for all three, same plot line, same actor John Wayne.

[mad_as_he$$]

Fire(d)fly is more space cowboys than Star Wars.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Gene Roddenberry sold the idea of “Star Trek” to NBC as “Wagon Train to the Stars”. It’s not unheard of.