It may seem like a long time ago but it’s actually 40 years since “Star Wars: A New Hope” opened in cinemas in the United States, creating a cultural phenomenon that is still as strong nowadays.
The film, which starred relative unknown at the time, was only shown in around 30 theatres at first on May 25, 1977, but then through its popularity, which even creator George Lucas couldn’t predict, it went on to play in cinemas for over a year.
After the success of the film, Jedi, droids, lightsabers, Darth Vader and blasters all became part of popular culture.
No official events, sanctioned by Disney and Lucasfilm, have been planned around the actual 40th anniversary itself. Vanity Fair magazine celebrated the phenomenon by putting the cast of the upcoming ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ on their cover and Disney released a limited line of new toys.
Instead, Disney and Lucasfilm organised an event back in April as part of the Star Wars Celebration where cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Lucas reminisced about the production and spoke about the impact it had had on their lives.
They also paid tribute to their original cast member Carrie Fisher, who played the fierce but beautiful Princess Leia and who died on December 27 2016.
The Star Wars franchise is still going strong with the ninth in the franchise, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ being released in December.