The Empire Strikes Back takes place three years after A New Hope.
There is "new hope" for the galaxy because the Death Star has been destroyed. Although Darth Vader's plan to eliminate the Rebel Alliance failed, his is trying it again.
Luke has now become a big part of the Rebels. Their secret base in on the ice planet of Hoth, where the movie begins.
Han is now a captain, but is planning to leave Hoth and the alliance to pay off some debts to Jabba the Hutt (his former employer).
Before Han can leave, the Rebels are attacked by the Empire and he must help Princess Leia escape (along with 3PO and Chewbacca). Ben Kenobi told Luke to go to the Degobah system and seek Jedi training from Ben's old Jedi master, Yoda.
According to Yoda, Luke is too old to be trained as a Jedi, but Luke and Ben convince Yoda that he must be trained. While this is happening, Princess Leia and Han are having their own adventures: running away from the Empire and landing on Cloud City . . . where Han's friend Lando (Williams) is not everything he seems.
The Empire Strikes Back has real emotion, drama, action, and comedy. It is a wonderful film (often called the best Star Wars picture) and really sets the stage for a dramatic last film.

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