Princess Leia Organa is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. She is a member of the royal family of the planet Alderaan and a leader in the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire. Leia is first introduced in the original Star Wars film, released in 1977, where she is captured by the Empire and held prisoner aboard the Death Star. She plays a key role in the rebellion's mission to destroy the planet-destroying superweapon and becomes a love interest for the series' protagonist, Luke Skywalker.