"Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Originally released in 1977 under the title Star Wars. The new title was applied in a 1981 re-release after the decision to make additional films, allowing Star Wars to refer to the entire series."
While this sounds like a good explaination for the name change it is untrue. George Lucas orginally wanted A New Hope to be titled episode 4, but Fox decided that it would be to confusing for audiences.
Originally released in 1977 under the title Star Wars. The new title was applied in a 1981 re-release after the decision to make additional films, allowing Star Wars to refer to the entire series."
While this sounds like a good explaination for the name change it is untrue. George Lucas orginally wanted A New Hope to be titled episode 4, but Fox decided that it would be to confusing for audiences.