Irwin Kershner
Originally turning down George Lucas’s request to direct celebrated second sequel, The Empire Strikes Back (he had been one of the director’s film teachers at USC) Kershner eventually agreed after Lucas told him he would leave directorial control to him. This proved to be a smart decision on Lucas’s part, as Kershner went on to craft a stunning piece of fantasy cinema which resonated deeply with fans, and is often recognised as a much more emotionally satisfying and overall accomplished piece of storytelling than the original.
It was Kershner who pushed to keep in Han Solo’s now legendary final line to Leia (against Lucas’ wishes) but this was a seasoned filmmaker with a number of respected films under his belt, and a confidence in getting strong performances from his actors. But it was also the little touches, like having a distressed Chewbacca roar as the doors close in the rebel base on Hoth, cutting off a seemingly doomed Han and Luke, that helped turn Empire not just into a superior sequel, but (alongside The Godfather Pt II) the benchmark by which all film follow-ups would be judged.
