Today, May the Fourth is Star Wars Day, a day for all lovers of Jedi, the Resistance and so on to rejoice.
The day came about as a play on the phrase; May the Force be with you.
This Star Wars Day, fans will likely be psyching themselves up for a return to the big screen. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” in theaters May 22, starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver, is the first “Star Wars” film to hit movie theaters since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” And you might also be excited about what’s to come, too: “Star Wars: Starfighter,” starring Ryan Gosling and arriving next year.
The franchise full of colorful characters – good, bad and ugly – has remained beloved to generations since George Lucas’ original 1977 “Star Wars,” which means a lot of ways to get your “May the 4th” on.
Here are some of favorites.
Where to watch ‘Star Wars’ movies, again
If you can believe it, there are people who’ve never seen “Star Wars.” But there’s no excuse now that all nine movies in the Skywalker saga – as well as the spinoffs “Rogue One” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story” – are a few clicks away on the Disney+ streaming service.
Longtime fans can break out the Blu-rays and DVDs, hunt for VHS cassettes, or – if you want to really go old school – dust off the laser discs. And we do suggest you watch the original “Return of the Jedi,” rather than the later special edition that took out the Ewoks’ celebration song and inserted Hayden Christensen (instead of “Jedi” star Sebastian Shaw) into the Dead Jedi Club at the end.
Binge ‘Star Wars’ shows and prep for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching the completely adorable Baby Yoda (aka Grogu), now’s the time to catch up with the first three seasons of the Disney+ Western-flavored series “The Mandalorian,” starring Pedro Pascal as the armored title gunslinger, to prep for what you’ll see in “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” The new film continues the adventures of the Mando and his adorable little apprentice, who work for an ex-Rebel soldier (Sigourney Weaver) to track down Imperial warlords.
There are plenty more shows once you’re finished with The Mandalorian. The animated series “Maul – Shadow Lord” features former Sith Lord Darth Maul battling the Empire and recruiting his own apprentice. Those who prefer their “Star Wars” live-action should dig into “The Book of Boba Fett” (which also features Mando and Grogu), “Ahsoka” and kid-friendly “Skeleton Crew.” And if you missed it, definitely watch both seasons of the best “Star Wars” show ever, “Andor.”
Read the further adventures of ‘Star Wars Outlaws’ in novel form
The rash of comic books and novels in recent years have fleshed out stories not seen in the films.
The new book “Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon” acts as a prequel to the “Outlaws” video game, telling the origin story of crime lord Jaylen Vrax and the droid ND-5. “Andor” fans will want to check out “The Mask of Fear,” the first novel in “The Reign of the Empire” series, told through the perspectives of Rebel leaders Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Saw Gerrera. (The second, “Edge of the Abyss,” releases in September.) But if you’re all about Darth Vader, “Star Wars: Master of Evil” follows the newly forged Sith lord after the events of “Revenge of the Sith.”
“Star Wars” comic books have also been exploring uncharted territory in various periods of the galaxy far, far away. “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Edges of the Empire” stars Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Chewbacca in a story inspired by the Galaxy’s Edge land in the Disney theme parks. And “Star Wars: Jar Jar” features the love-him-or-hate-him character co-written by the actor who played Jar Jar Binks in the prequels, Ahmed Best.
Lots of places discount their Star Wars merch and/or release exclusives for May 4, and StarWars.com has a roundup of all the coolest stuff, from coffee inspired by Mandalorian and Grogu and Grogu Nilla Nummies to “Skeleton Crew” tiki mugs and a nifty Darth Vader mini helmet. Heroes & Villains is doing Mandalorian-inspired daily T-shirt drops through May 4. And if you’ve got time on your hands (and sufficient shelf space in your house), Lego has released a large collector’s series version of the N-1 Starfighter from “The Mandalorian and Grogu” with minifigures of the two title galactic buddies, so you and your family can build to your heart’s delight.
As the Mando might say, this is the way.
Source: USA Today.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: May the Fourth be with you: How to celebrate Star Wars Day
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
