 Following the success of "Star Wars", Lucas hired Brackett to write the sequel; after her death in 1978, he outlined the "Star Wars" saga as a whole and wrote the next draft himself, before hiring Kasdan.Lucas chose not to direct due to his obligations at Industrial Light & Magic and handling the financing, and passed the duty to Kershner, his former professor.Filmed from March to September 1979, "The Empire Strikes Back" faced a difficult production that included actor injuries, a set fire, and fines from the Writers and Directors Guilds of America.