Star Wars, the internationally famous saga created by George Lucas, is celebrated by the worldwide fanbase on May fourth. The saga includes many stories that follow the hero’s journeys through seeking revenge, destroying the death star, and empowering their own Jedi skills, to fighting for complete order in the galaxy. Star Wars instantly gained fame when it first released in 1977.
The saga is a film trilogy that begins in the middle of the story. The original trilogy was released between 1977 and 1983. This trilogy includes the films Episode IV- A New Hope, Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI- Return of the Jedi. It captures the main character’s (Luke) home planet, along with guidance from Obi-Wan Kenobi, a skilled Jedi. Luke realizes his potential as a Jedi and sets out with a team of rebels, and Han Solo, to destroy the Death Star and save Princess Leia from Darth Vader. The prequel trilogy, released between 1999 and 2005, includes Episode I- The Phantom Menace, Episode II- Attack of the Clones, and Episode III- Revenge of the Sith. These films capture Anakin Skywalker in his youth and his life experiences leading up to his transformation as Darth Vader. Finally, the sequel trilogy, released between 2015 and 2019, includes Episode VII-The Force Awakens, Episode VIII- The Last Jedi, and Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker. This trilogy focuses on The Resistance (a group of rebels fighting for order in the galaxy) and the conflict the First Order creates. The galaxy is in complete chaos, torn between the light side and the dark side.
The light side has warriors strong with the force that fight for the future and preservation of peace in the galaxy. The light side has been not only a path for young padawans and Jedis, but also for Star Wars fans. The adventurous saga is an inspiration to all fans for the empowering messages the warriors send. The fanbase spreads farther than fans. Disneyland has an entire section dedicated to Star Wars where someone can make their own lightsaber at “Savi’s Workshop”. There are even spinoff versions of Star Wars made into shows, movies, and games
Although, with every light side of the saga, there is a dark side. Within the series, there are villains, like Darth Vader and the Dark Sith, that cause the disorder and chaos within the galaxy. As there is a dark side with every story, there is a dark side within the fanbase. Some fans create problems, such as bullying and racist attacks against the actors and actresses who play the main characters and warriors in the films. Kelly Marie Tran (who plays Rose) and John Boyega (who plays Finn), and many others are under fire by racist fans. Tran comments “If someone doesn’t understand me or my experience, it shouldn’t be my place to have to internalize their misogyny or racism or all of the above. Maybe they just don’t have the imagination to understand that there are different types of people living in the world.” Even Star Wars creator’s harshest critics view George Lucas’s approach to race in the prequel films, as imagining extra-terrestrial characters, like Jar Jar Binks and Nute Gunray, to the Caribbean, East Asian, and Jewish ethnic stereotypes as wrong attempts to Imagine a diverse galaxy. Moral of the story: be a decent fan.
Although there are no current Star Wars movies planned to be produced by George Lucas, there are many spin-off shows and movies that fans have created and continue to create to keep the force strong. As strong warriors continue to fight for hope and order in the galaxy, I wish you one thing: may the force be with you.
Works Cited
Blistein, Jon. “John Boyega on Racist Fan Abuse, Marginalization That Marred 'Star
Wars' Experience.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 2 Sept. 2020,
"Racist Trolls May Think They Own Star Wars, but the Saga's Diversity Issues Are
Not Cut and Dried.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 5 Mar. 2021,
tran.
“Star Wars Day.” StarWars.com, www.starwars.com/star-wars-day.
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