May the Fourth be with you. To celebrate this annual Star Wars holiday, we’ve put together a list of our favorite gifts and merchandise related to the galaxy far, far away. In fact, even if you aren’t feeling particularly Star Wars-y today (or any other day), we think these gifts are cool enough to give them consideration even if it’s not May 4th. Whether you know someone who’s a hardcore Star Wars fan or have a friend or family member who appreciates good design, these May the 4th gifts and merch are sure to delight.
What is May the 4th?
May the 4th is a day of celebration for the most revered sci-fi trilogy in film history: Star Wars. We’re talking about George Lucas’s initial installment in 1977, A New Hope, as well as its sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). May 4th is also a day to commemorate R2D2, C3PO, Darth Vader, Yoda, Padme Amidala, Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi, the list goes on.
The History of Star Wars
On May 25, 1977, George Lucas’s epic space opera premiered in theaters across America. The movie, which would eventually become one of the most successful films of all time, had a total budget of $11 million (about $36 million in today’s dollars).
The Films
The original trilogy of films, released in 1977, 1980, 1983, and 1989 respectively, is set A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The first film begins as rebel forces engage Imperial stormtroopers on the desert planet Tatooine. It tells the story of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a young man who joins rebel forces to save Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) from her evil father Darth Vader (David Prowse), Emperor of the Galactic Empire.
The Characters
Chewbacca – Stubborn, loyal Wookie who remains fiercely protective of his friends, even in captivity. Han Solo – A roguish smuggler who spends most of his time at home in a self-imposed exile on the planet of Tatooine. He was once an Imperial captain but deserted when he became disgusted by the emperor’s methods.
The Legacy
The first film in George Lucas’s original trilogy, A New Hope, was released on May 25th, 1977. In celebration of this iconic film’s 40th anniversary, we wanted to share some of the fun ways you can get into the spirit of Star Wars Day.
The Future
If you’re still in need of your Star Wars fix, we have some great news for you: there are tons of new movies coming this year. In addition to Rogue One, which is hitting theaters on December 16th, 2017, Solo is scheduled to premiere on May 25th of this year.
