Brian Truitt

USA TODAY

George Lucas turned 70 Wednesday, and next week marks the 15th anniversary of a loving tribute to the king of Star Wars nerds everywhere.

George Lucas in Love, the 1999 short-film satire of Shakespeare in Love that was released the same month as Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, receives a special HD remastering with a special edition available on May 20 via iTunes. (Fans can preorder the award-winning short now.)

The nine-minute film directed by Joe Nussbaum went viral before "going viral" was a thing, as it was quickly seen by filmmakers all over Hollywood — including Lucas himself — and played more than 30 film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival. The short now is part of a permanent exhibit on the history of film on the Internet at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York and Los Angeles.

George Lucas in Love "explains" the origins of Star Wars by focusing on a young George (Martin Hynes) during a period of writer's block. He's trying to finish his final screenplay at the USC Film School and is tapped out when it comes to inspiration until he finds it in Marion (Lisa Jakub), she of the Princess Leia-style bun hairdo.

The short has references to various Lucas films and filmmaking techniques, but the most fun are the Star Wars easter eggs. In this exclusive clip, look for nods to Han Solo and Chewbacca, droids and the Cantina Band, among others.