Tom Jung’s original 1977 Star Wars poster painting, the image that introduced audiences to George Lucas’s space saga, has set a new benchmark in the art market. At Heritage Auctions in Dallas, the hand-painted work sold for $3.875 million – the highest price ever achieved for movie-related artwork.
Commissioned by 20th Century Fox ahead of the film’s release, Jung’s composition captured the essence of the story in a single frame. Luke Skywalker is shown raising his light saber against a star-filled sky, Princess Leia positioned at his side, while Darth Vader looms above. The design conveyed adventure and romance – helping to define the film’s identity before audiences had seen a single scene.
A competitive bidding war
According to Artnet, bidding for the piece escalated quickly, with collectors competing to secure what many consider the most important poster in cinema history. Indulge Express reported that the final price shattered previous records for film poster art which was held by a rare Dracula (1931) poster that sold for about $525,800 at auction in 2017.
Jung, already an established illustrator in Hollywood, was tasked with creating the poster in early 1977. His painting became the official theatrical image, appearing on billboards and promotional material across the United States. While other versions, including the Hildebrandt brothers’ promotional poster for the U.K. market, circulated widely, Jung’s design was the one that audiences most closely associated with the film’s release.
The shifting landscape of modern art
The sale also surpassed a notable benchmark in the world of movie memorabilia. Until now, the record had been held by Darth Vader’s lightsaber from Return of the Jedi, which sold for $3.6 million. Jung’s painting now eclipses that figure, placing poster art at the very top of the category.
Collectors say the result points to a broader shift. Film posters and original artwork are increasingly treated as serious investments, not simply souvenirs. The $3.875 million price places Jung’s painting alongside works by contemporary artists who command similar sums at auction.
For Star Wars fans, the poster carries a different weight. It was the image that introduced the saga to audiences in 1977 and helped define its identity. Nearly fifty years later, the same artwork has become a prize in its own right, valued not only for its role in cinema history but also for its place in the art market.
