CNBC Celebrates The 30th Anniversary Of 'Star Wars'

What began long ago in a galaxy far, far away has had a profound impact on the way big budget movies are produced and marketed.

CNBC, Americas Business Channel, celebrates the 30th Anniversary of "Stars Wars" beginning May 21 and running all week. CNBC puts the spotlight on the film and franchise that continues to shake the universe 30 years after its debut.

In an unprecedented series, CNBC's Media Reporter Julia Boorstin, Senior Correspondent Scott Cohn, Silicon Valley Bureau Chief Jim Goldman and Business News Reporter Jane Wells will dissect the "Stars Wars" cultural and financial phenomenon and will analyze the impact "Star Wars" has made on the way movies are produced, funded, viewed and marketed…..forever.

In addition to special "Star Wars" reports throughout CNBC Business Day's programming, other segments, including expanded interviews, will be available on CNBC.com. The reports begin each morning on CNBC's "Squawk Box" (6 AM-9 AM ET).

Throughout the week CNBC features the following coverage:

Monday May 21

- "How the world changed..." – CNBC Senior Correspondent Scott Cohn looks at what it cost to go to the movies on May 25, 1977, when "Star Wars" premiered. How much it cost moviegoers to fill their gas tanks to get to the theater? What level was the Dow at that day?

- "How Hollywood embraced Silicon Valley..."—CNBC's Silicon Valley Bureau Chief Jim Goldman gives viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the technological wonderland--Industrial Light & Magic.

Tuesday May 22nd

- "How the Art of the Hollywood deal changed..." – CNBC's Media Reporter Julia Boorstin looks at how "Star Wars" happened and what prompted Fox to make the huge budget film at that time. Boorstin also analyzes how "Star Wars" changed Hollywood

Wednesday May 23rd

- "How Movie Merchandising Exploded..." – CNBC's Los Angeles-based Business News Reporter Jane Wells reports on the $13 billion "Star Wars" merchandise empire that Lucas owns all the rights to. Only Walt Disney had such foresight.

Thursday May 24th

- "The Ultimate Collection"—CNBC's Silicon Valley Bureau Chief Jim Goldman takes an exclusive look inside the world's biggest "Star Wars" memorabilia private collection.

Friday, May 25th

- "What's next?" -- CNBC's Silicon Valley Bureau Chief Jim Goldman profiles Industrial Light & Magic, focusing on its importance to Hollywood and filmmaking around the world.

- CNBC will report live from the definitive fan celebration "Star Wars Celebration IV" at the Los Angeles Convention Center.