Prequel trilogy

The prequel trilogy (often abbreviated PT), released between 1999 and 2005, consists of:

The Prequel Trilogy describes what took place over 32 years before the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. It begins with a child Anakin Skywalker, the future Darth Vader, being discovered by maverick Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn, who senses his enormous potential. It is here that Skywalker first encounters the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi, who himself is still but a pupil. As the first film unfolds, key characters appear, such as Padmé Amidala, R2-D2, C-3PO, Yoda, and the villainous Palpatine, who is a mere Senator in the Galactic Republic at the time. After a debate with the Jedi Council, it is decided that Anakin will not be trained as a Jedi; only the tragic death of Qui-Gon at the hands of a Sith persuades the Jedi to reconcile their decision. Anakin Skywalker then becomes Obi-Wan's apprentice in the ways of the Force.

Over the course of the next two films, the Clone Wars begin; a raging war between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The newly appointed Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is given emergency powers to raise an army of clones (cloned from the notorious bounty hunter Jango Fett) to combat the rising Separatist threat. Anakin and Padmé fall in love, a love that must be kept hidden from the Jedi, including Obi-Wan.

By the end of the Clone Wars (resulting in the defeat of the CIS), Palpatine has managed to gain almost unlimited power over the Galactic Senate and Skywalker, whom he finally pushes over to the dark side of the Force and orders to begin the destruction of the Jedi Order (Order 66). After Order 66 is given, Obi-Wan learns of Anakin's and Padmé's marriage, but more crucially of Padmé's pregnancy. After sneaking onto Padmé's ship to find Anakin, he finds himself on the lava world of Mustafar, where his former apprentice has slaughtered the Separatist leaders. The two engage in an epic duel, which results in Anakin suffering loss of limbs, severe burns, and lung damage. Following this, he is rescued by Palpatine and encased in a life support suit. The Skywalker twins, Luke and Leia, are separated, and the remaining Jedi, Obi-Wan and Yoda, go in to exile…