At the Cannes Film Festival following the completion of THX 1138, Lucas was granted a two-film development deal with United Artists; the two films were American Graffiti, and an untitled space opera inspired by Flash Gordon.
Pada bulan Mei di Festival Film Cannes setelah selesainya film THX 1138, Lucas diberikan kontrak untuk pengembangan dua film dari United Artists; American Graffiti dan film fantasi luar angkasa yang belum mempunyai judul ala Flash Gordon.