May 04, 2020
There’s only one way to celebrate May 4 and that’s in a galaxy far, far away.
“May the fourth be with you,” started out as a pun but now it’s another reason to celebrate Star Wars. From the iconic characters to the groundbreaking special effects, the franchise has managed to entertain fans of all ages over several decades. If you’ve never seen a Star Wars movie or are looking to relive the glorious moments, you can easily stream all the movies on Disney+ via Cox Contour. Before you get started, let’s get reacquainted with some memorable characters, recap how this sci-fi phenomenon began and find out what the future holds.
The Iconic Characters
From Darth Vader’s mechanically augmented voice to Princess Leia’s hair, each Star Wars character has a standout quality that makes them unique. Good or evil, these are some of their most defining traits:
- Hans Solo. He’s not a just a rebel with a great smile, Hans Solo is a man with skills and a snazzy spaceship. His flaws and love for Princess Leia make him a believable character many can relate to.
- Chewbacca. Known as Han Solo’s tall, furry and faithful sidekick, Chewbacca’s unwavering loyalty has earned him a spot in the hearts of fans.
- Yoda. One of the oldest and most powerful Jedi’s that ever lived, Yoda made the catchphrase, “May the force be with you” popular among fans. He’s also wise and a great mentor to Luke.
- C-3P0 and R2-D2. These two robots make a dynamic duo. C-3P0 is a gold robot with a cynical sense of humor fans can’t help but laugh at. R2-D2 is a true hero, constantly rescuing main characters like Hans Solo and Luke Skywalker.
- Luke Skywalker. From reckless teenager to hero, Luke Skywalker has grown up before everyone’s eyes making him simultaneously one of the most loved and hated characters of all time.
- Princess Leia. Not your typical damsel in distress, this princess is a symbol for powerful women as a politician, brave general and rebel. Though she’s also remembered for her gold, metallic bikini and quirky hair buns.
- Darth Vader. One of the most iconic villains of all time, even if you haven’t seen a single Star War’s movie, you’re sure to know about Darth Vader. He is the depiction of evil and (spoiler alert) he’s also Luke’s father.
The Early Years
In 1977, in a galaxy far, far away, the Star Wars franchise began. Star Wars IV – A New Hope took four years to film and was met with overwhelming success in the box office, earning almost $3 million in its first week. It went on to win six Academy Awards and a Special Achievement Award in sound – not too shabby for the first of its kind. The film was followed by two sequels, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, which was released in 1983. 20 years later, George Lucas released a second trilogy, all intended to take place prior to the events in the first trilogy (confusing, we know). By the time the sixth film was released in 2005, the franchise had made motion picture history earning $20 billion.
Disney
2014 was the year Star Wars changed forever with Disney taking over production. The original movies focused on the Skywalker family, but Disney took things in a different direction with stand-alone films that put the spotlight on other characters like Hans Solo. Each of the movies had a different producer and director, so making predictions is no easy task. Disney also opened attractions inspired by Star Wars at their theme parks and expanded merchandise, including kitchen appliances and the popular Baby Yoda.
Die-hard Star Wars fans have always been opinionated about their beloved franchise, but one thing that seems to unite the fandom is the creation of Baby Yoda. This tiny green child is the star of the Disney+ TV show, The Mandalorian, and is proof that Star Wars can still pull at every fan’s heartstrings.
The Future of Star Wars
It’s been three years since Star Wars graced the big screen, but don’t worry, a new trilogy is on its way. Set to launch in 2022 and followed by sequels in 2024 and 2026, fans will once again be able to see their favorite characters in theaters. In addition, there are a number of TV shows, comic books and novels in production from Lucasfilm and Disney. In other words, Star Wars is alive and well.
If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, now is the perfect time to start. This May 4 make sure to sit back, relax and celebrate all the amazing things this franchise has to offer. May the Force be with you.
