Looking Back on a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Victoria Wolf editor-in-chief

Star Wars: the iconic sci-fi series of the early 80s. One that captivated millions of kids, starting with its iconic opening credit scene, filled with stars and upward running plotlines blazed in yellow, cementing itself into stardom. The opening was so iconic that, “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” has to be quoted when writing about the subject. Whether or not you’ve seen the episodic films or not, the franchise continues to dominate the sci-fi market alongside Star Trek - a competitor catering to different intergalactic tastes.

“Star Wars: A New Hope” was released on May 25, 1977. Many adults remember the feeling of watching the movie in theaters, when it took kids at the time by storm. Growing up, art teacher Peter Saraceno lived next door to actor Harrison Ford and bonded with Ford’s children, often spending time playing together, as they were the only kids in the neighborhood. He quickly got looped into the production of the first Star Wars movie, attending the premiere of “A New Hope.” Saraceno stated, “Due to being looped into the production, it’s always been my favorite installment in the franchise. The universal tale of a hero and the trials they have to go through, really stuck with me as a kid.” Since the first movie, the franchise has gone on to produce eleven feature-length films: nine following the main story and two stand-alone episodes.

New additions to the timeline have been Disney+ original series. Characters that have been underrepresented throughout the franchise are now getting their story told through episodes ranging from 30 minutes to one hour.

Popular series include “The Mandolorian,” “The Book of Boba Fett,” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” all expanding the timeline fans previously have known for each character. Although popular, these spinoff series have not been loved by all, as many fans have lost the feel for new plotlines the series have created. English teacher Jeremy Washburn thought otherwise: “I love them. My favorite series recently has been ‘Andor.’ It’s gritty and avoids some of the cheese that the other shows embrace.”

While not all fans are happy with the direction Disney has led the franchise, the recent announcement made during the 2023 Star Wars Celebration to expand the timeline, promised more content to be produced. Senior Taylor Cryns commented, “I think they should continue to make movies and series, especially about characters we don’t know the full background of. It would be interesting to know why characters like Jabba The Hutt behave the way they do.” Star Wars will continue to have a chokehold on fans due to its marketability, whether or not there is a demand for more films, keeping fans happy and providing fresh commentary for critics.