Before Star Wars: Episode VII drops to theaters Dec. 18, you probably need a refresher on what happened since the first installment in this major movie franchise.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977): Luke Skywalker, a farm boy, joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a pilot, a Wookiee, and two droids (R2-D2 and C-3PO) to save the universe, all while trying to rescue Princess Leia from Darth Vader.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Darth Vader reigns over the empire and chases Luke’s friends, Han Solo and Princess Leia. Luke starts his training with Master Yoda and at the end of the movie he’s faced with a big decision: Should he finish his training with Yoda to become a full Jedi Knight or face off against Vader to save his friends?

Return of the Jedi (1983): The evil empire has plans to create a second Death Star to wipe out the Rebel Alliance. Luke, the leader of the Rebel Alliance and Jedi-in-training, learned that Darth Vader is his father at the end of the last movie. Luke tries to bring him out of the Dark Side.

The Phantom Menace (1999): Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, escort Queen Amidala from her home planet of Naboo to Coruscant. The film also explores Darth Vader’s childhood before he became a Jedi.

Attack of the Clones (2002): Ten years later, the galaxy is on the brink of a civil war. Thousands of planets threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. After an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, young Darth Vader is assigned to protect her while Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates the assassination.

Revenge of the Sith (2005): After the Clone Wars, the Jedi Knights are spread out across the galaxy leading a massive clone army. Young Darth Vader becomes close with a Sith Lord, unknown to anyone else. This is when he joins the Dark Side and becomes Darth Vader.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be released Dec. 18 in theaters everywhere.

Leah Sheltry, Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Senior Leah Sheltry is the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the 2015-2016 Colonel. She is the secretary of Youth United for Global Action and Awareness (YUGA) Club and is on the swim team.