Before her Oscar-nominated horror film The Substance made waves in Hollywood, Coralie Fargeat got her start by creating a homemade Star Wars fan movie. The 2024 body horror sensation, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, has earned critical acclaim, securing nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the Academy Awards.
While the world waits to see if The Substance can make history for horror films at the Oscars, Fargeat recently revealed her humble filmmaking beginnings.
Coralie Fargeat’s Star Wars Fan Film at 17
In a recent Letterboxd video shared by The HoloFiles, Fargeat discussed her first major filmmaking project—a stop-motion and homemade live-action recreation of Return of the Jedi.
At just 17 years old, Fargeat used:
- Stop-motion animation
- Handmade costumes
- John Williams’ score
- Scenes from the original Star Wars movie
Her passion project served as an early showcase of her creativity and visual storytelling skills, which would later help her create The Substance, one of the most talked-about films of 2024.
Star Wars’ Influence on Hollywood Filmmakers
Fargeat is far from the only director who found early inspiration in Star Wars. Many of today’s biggest names in Hollywood have credited George Lucas’ legendary franchise as a key influence, including:
- Rian Johnson (Knives Out, The Last Jedi)
- J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, The Force Awakens)
- James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad)
- Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Blade Runner 2049)
- Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy)
- Ron Howard (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Apollo 13)
- Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water, Pan’s Labyrinth)
Why Star Wars Continues to Inspire Filmmakers
- Groundbreaking Visual Effects – Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) changed cinema forever.
- Timeless Storytelling – The franchise introduced universal themes of good vs. evil and the hero’s journey.
- Behind-the-Scenes Insight – Star Wars’ extensive production documentaries give future directors a blueprint for success.
Even decades later, Star Wars continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers like Fargeat, proving that its legacy goes beyond the screen.
Our Take: Star Wars’ Real Legacy Lies in Its Influence
While Star Wars is one of the most iconic film franchises ever, its true impact extends beyond its stories. The franchise has not only entertained audiences but has also sparked the creative ambitions of countless filmmakers—from young fan film creators to Oscar-winning directors.
As Fargeat’s journey shows, passion projects can evolve into award-winning careers, and it will be exciting to see if The Substance makes history at the 2024 Academy Awards.
