Latest news with #StarWars:EpisodeIV–ANewHope
The Star
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Leave the world behind in a 'Star Wars'-inspired resort in the US
'We're all Star Wars nuts,' Barry Ray says as his wife, Melissa, and daughter Evie play nearby. Evie knows all the Star Wars characters from multiple readings of the Little Golden Books series. She's wearing a Princess Leia costume so, in keeping with the canon, her parents are dressed as Darth Vader and Padme Amidala. They've travelled from Granbury, Texas, to celebrate Evie's sixth birthday in the middle of a 40ha dry lake bed that's the next best thing to Tatooine. The previous night, they'd watched the 1977 original, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope , inside a two-bedroom cave. 'We've had a great time, and it's an experience she won't ever forget,' Ray says. 'It' is OutpostX in Utah, the United States, a swath of raw desert flush with science-fiction iconography that founder Travis Chambers refers to as 'a film-set hotel with a story'. The whole thing feels like it's part of a different galaxy, even though it's not all that far, far away. Post-apocalyptic sanctuary During a 2013 visit to a pirate-themed Airbnb in California, something clicked inside Chambers. He started travelling the world, racking up 30-something countries in short order. The 'zen dome' looks very cool. 'I got to the point where I'd rather stay in a shack in the jungle in Belize than go to a Four Seasons (hotel),' Chambers says. 'Luxury just does not do it for me.' That same year, he founded the digital ad agency Chamber Media, which would land him on a 'Forbes 30 Under 30' list. Ultimately, he says, the company was a means to an end. In 2021, Chambers cashed out with a reported US$17mil (RM73.5mil) to fund his real dream. OutpostX is a whole lot of nothing, and that's by design. Imagined as a 'post-apocalyptic sanctuary', the retreat covers nearly 100ha yet feels significantly larger given the lack of visible borders. You can see for miles there without recognising anything other than mountains and scrub. Chambers identifies luxury, service and location as the three elements on which most hotels compete. 'We didn't follow any of those,' he boasts. There's no gift shop, no restaurant, not even a vending machine. You could complete your stay at OutpostX without interacting with another soul. The accommodations consist of three cave dwellings, four 'zen domes' and a handful of tents. Whether you purchase the ingredients from OutpostX or bring your own food, you'll be cooking for yourself – either in your kitchenette or the firepit in the common area. Instead of a staff to pamper guests, there are hot tubs, a cold plunge and a sauna with a wood-burning stove. A solitary hammock offers its occupant a silence most will never know. In keeping with Chambers' tastes, OutpostX is aggressively anti-luxury, and guests are more than happy to pay for that vibe. Ahead of its opening in 2023, the retreat was sold out for its first year. 'We've gotten comments on the Internet like, 'You want us to pay to stay in a Third World country?',' Chambers says. 'And we're like, 'Yep. Exactly. A Third World country 2,000 years from now'.' Most of the units at OutpostX are located far apart, so guests can be completely isolated if they choose to. A mythology of its own Not only is OutpostX reminiscent of the Skywalkers' home planet, guests can explore its outer reaches from inside sand cruisers, custom-built vehicles that greatly resemble Luke's banged-up landspeeder – minus the hovering. Just don't expect anyone involved in the enterprise to mention the words 'Star Wars'. (It's a bit like the episode of The Simpsons in which the family hires a singing British nanny named Shary Bobbins who insists she's 'an original creation, like Ricky Rouse and Monald Muck'.) Instead, the retreat comes with its own backstory involving brothers Maa and Naa Hyer, who were separated at birth to avoid being recruited into the galactic military. What you experience at OutpostX is the settlement as it's being rebuilt after The Empire destroyed it with a solar flare. That story plays out in the multi-episode podcast that's sent to guests so they'll have something to listen to during the drive from Las Vegas or the 160km trip from Zion National Park. Signs around OutpostX tell more of the tale, the way a state park might showcase its flora and fauna. The caves, they inform the guests who notice them, were built with materials hauled out of far-off granite quarries by giant Armaados, while the zen domes were constructed from the blast glass salvaged from a crashed ship. Guests typically break down into thirds, Chambers says. There's the 'sci-fi geeks and nerds' who'll take to the origin tale and rent the corresponding costumes; those looking for seclusion; and the Burning Man/hippie crowd. The communal 'Kaan Lounge' offers Frank Herbert's Dune books for the former. For the last it also houses a guitar, drums, a sonic energy handpan and a 'Sound Bowl Experience'. The interior of a 'cave' unit. (Right) You can get in one of the sand cruisers at the site to add to the galactic experience. More on the way 'Every very smart person told us that it was a horrible idea,' Chambers says. They've started coming around, though. OutpostX is 90% booked six months in advance. Similar locations are planned to open in Moab and Puerto Rico this year. By then, potential guests may have figured out whether the minimalist concept is right for them. 'I've seen people show up in a Maybach or a Bentley and get out,' Chambers says, '... then get in their car and leave.' (Maybach and Bentley are ultra luxury cars.) The OutpostX clientele, he adds, isn't so much a demographic as it is a personality: someone who's creative and imaginative – and willing to pay a premium to exercise those attributes. 'I think when everyone is at OutpostX, they're experiencing what you would build with your friends if you were 14 years old,' Chambers concludes. – CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tax Takes On Films: 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope' Gets A Look
Star Wars, poster, (aka : EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE), rear: Darth Vader, foreground, from left: Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, C-3PO, R2-D2, poster art, 1977. (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images) Tax touches so many parts of our lives—even in the movies. On May the 4th, it seems fitting to focus on tax themes and consequences in the original Star Wars. Well, it's the original to me. You might know it as 'Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope' (1977). (A quick note: My review is based on U.S. law as it might apply to the Rebels. Additionally, although I'm sure that Congress would love to tax droids and space aliens, they haven't found a way to do it just yet. For tax purposes, I treat the droids as computers (good) and all other characters as if they are human. And, if you're one of the few people on this planet who haven't seen the film, the review and analysis contain several spoilers.) In the opening crawl, we learn, "It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire." The Empire controls the galaxy—and that includes the economy. It's likely that, as part of that control, various entities are required to pay taxes and submit to regulatory compliance, a theme raised in films produced later in the series. (For context, in the fourth film in the Star Wars series and the first film of the prequel trilogy, we learn—also via the opening crawl—that "Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. The taxation of trade routes to the outlying star system is in dispute. Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo…" The Galactic Republic preceded the Galactic Empire.) 'A New Hope' begins with the news that the Rebels have stolen the plans for the Death Star, officially called the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station. It could destroy a planet with one shot of its super laser. The Empire wants the plans back because they include a hidden weakness, making the weapon vulnerable. (Fun fact: Years ago, The White House posted a response on its website to a petition asking that the federal government "[s]ecure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016." The answer was a polite—but thought out—no.) The Empire, led by Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones) and Grand Moff Tarkin, under the Emperor, has two main goals: recover the plans and crush the rebellion. American actress Carrie Fisher on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) Early in the movie, Princess Leia (played by the amazing Carrie Fisher) is aboard a small Rebel ship attacked by an Imperial Star Destroyer. To protect the stolen plans, Leia hides them with a message asking for help inside R2-D2, a droid. She sends R2-D2 and C-3PO (also a droid) to the desert planet Tatooine. Afterward, Darth Vader captures Leia. It's unclear in A New Hope whether Leia originally stole the plans. But under federal tax law, taxpayers must report "all income from whatever source derived" unless specifically excepted (you'll find that rule at 26 U.S. Code §61). That includes all illegal activities like safecracking and burglary, as well as illegal gambling and bribes. In fact, the IRS has a program, the Illegal Source Financial Crimes Program, as part of its Criminal Investigations department, which enforces tax rules on income obtained through illegal operations, which would otherwise be part of the "untaxed underground economy." Skipping out on reporting income—even illegally gained income—can land you in tax trouble. On Tatooine, R2-D2 and C-3PO are captured by Jawas, humanoids who collect, refurbish, and sell scraps—including droids. A young Luke Skywalker (portrayed by Mark Hamill) accompanies his Uncle Owen to the Jawas' "shop" in search of a droid who can translate the binary language used by their moisture vaporators. C-3PO fits the bill, and Owen buys him, together with R5-D4. American actor Mark Hamill on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) The tax implications for the Jawas can be complicated. Typically, when you sell something at retail, your profit is the selling price less your basis—basis is the cost you pay for assets plus adjustments. The Jawas appear to scavenge—not steal—meaning they don't pay to acquire the asset in the first place. The basis, then, is zero. To the extent that they make repairs, the associated costs would add to the basis. The Jawas don't typically accept cash for their goods—they trade. A trade is the same, for tax purposes, as a sale. Think of them just like cash: if it were taxable if paid in cash, it's taxable if paid in goods or services. Here, the transaction is part of a trade or business—that means that the Jawas would report the value received on a corporate return or Schedule C. (If it were taxable but not as part of a business, report it as "other income" on line 21 of Form 1040.) Either way, the Jawas would want to keep excellent records to support income and expenses. When R5-D4 fizzles, Luke persuades his uncle to take R2-D2 instead, which is fortuitous. While cleaning R2-D2 up, Luke finds the message from Leia inside R2-D2, pleading for help from someone named Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Sir Alec Guinness). R2-D2 leaves to find Obi-Wan, and Luke chases after him. Eventually, Luke is captured but rescued by a man who reveals that he is Obi-Wan Kenobi, a former Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan tells Luke about the Force and gives him his father's lightsaber, telling Luke that his father was also a Jedi killed by Darth Vader. When you make a gift, the tax due, if any, is payable by the person who makes the gift. In this case, Obi-Wan is the gift-giver. Each year, you can make gifts up to the federal gift tax exclusion amount to as many people as you like without any gift tax consequences. For 2025, the exclusion amount is $19,000. That means that any person can gift you $19,000 without gift tax consequences—or they could gift 10 people $19,000 without gift tax consequences. Here's where it gets tricky. If a gift exceeds the annual limit, most taxpayers don't automatically pay gift tax. Instead, the amount of the gift over the limit "chips away" at your available federal estate tax exemption—for 2025, that's $13,990,000 per person. How much a lightsaber would be worth is not easy to determine. A little research on the internet suggests that a lightsaber could be sold for 20,000–500,000 Republic Credits. Some math gymnastics indicated that a rough exchange rate would work out to $4 to the credit (based on dialogue in A New Hope, a low-end starship was equivalent to 10,000 credits). If that's true, the cost would range from $80,000 to $2,000,000—well above the federal gift tax exemption but far below the federal estate tax exemption. Instead of paying gift tax on the lightsaber, Obi-Wan would have filed a gift tax return (Form 709) notifying the IRS that his exemption was reduced by the fair market value of the gift. (The gift tax exclusion amount changes each year—I don't know what it would have been when Star Wars took place other than "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." But when 'A New Hope' was released in 1977, the exclusion amount was just $3,000.) After finding out that Imperial stormtroopers—elite soldiers of the Galactic Empire—have killed his aunt and uncle, Luke travels to the planet Alderaan to turn over the Death Star plans to the rebels. To get there, they need a pilot. They find one in the way of Han Solo (played by the still swoony Harrison Ford) and Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca, and their ship, the Millennium Falcon. Solo is reluctant to take the gig, but he owes money to Jabba the Hutt. American actor Harrison Ford, as Hans Solo, on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) Solo, described as a mercenary, asked for 10,000 (presumably in Republic Credits) for the trip. They ultimately agreed to 2,000 upfront and 15,000 at the end of the journey. Assuming that the trip began and ended in the same year, Solo would report all 17,000—but if the payments were in separate years, he would report the payments in the year each was received. And yes, Solo is described as all kinds of things—including a smuggler. That wouldn't exempt him from tax. As noted above, income from illegal activities is still taxable. It turns out that Alderaan has been destroyed. Grand Moff Tarkin tried to extort information from Leia—she lied to him to save the planet, but it didn't matter. Tarkin blew it up anyway. Before they can turn back, the gang is pulled into the Death Star. Luke and Solo disguise themselves as stormtroopers to rescue Leia. The trio escapes and heads back to the Falcon. However, all is not easy. Obi-Wan confronts Darth Vader—they fight a lightsaber duel, and Obi-Wan allows himself to be hit, sacrificing himself to aid the escape. Leia, Luke, Solo, Chewie, R2-D2, and C-3PO flee the Death Star—plans in hand—but are tracked to the Rebel base. There, engineers find that the Death Star has a specific flaw: a port that, if hit directly, will trigger a chain reaction to destroy the station. Luke joins the Rebel pilots in an attempt to take down the Death Star, but Solo and Chewie initially do not, claiming they have a debt to repay to Jabba the Hutt. At first, the Rebels are met with significant gunfire, resulting in several fatalities. Solo has a change of heart and returns, along with Chewie, just in time to save Luke. Luke then tries a run, deactivating his targeting system, after the spirit of Obi-Wan instructs him to rely on the Force. Luke then successfully destroys the Death Star, killing Tarkin. Vader escapes into space, setting up the (first) sequel. As a reward for their bravery, Luke and Solo are awarded medals presented by Leia. We're not sure what kind of award they each receive, although they are described as "gold." The medals would be taxable to the extent that they are worth something. That's as true for Rebel medals as Olympic medals and other similar awards (though some exceptions apply to Olympic and Paralympic athletes). For federal income tax purposes, the value of the medal is determined at the time that it's earned. Any appreciation in the value of medals would be subject to tax if and when sold. Any money or related compensation would also be taxable. To the extent that taxpayers are paid for services provided in another country (or galaxy), they may benefit from tax treaty treatment. That happens when another country agrees with the U.S. about the tax treatment of certain kinds of income. Typically, the treaty specifically provides that income earned in one country should only be taxed once. Taxpayers may qualify for other tax benefits if no tax treaty treatment applies—and so far, we have no extra-planet or extra-solar treaties. For example, Americans who live abroad may claim the foreign earned income exclusion–an exclusion of your foreign earnings up to an amount that is adjusted annually for inflation—and the foreign tax credit—a credit for foreign taxes imposed on you by a foreign country or U.S. possession so that you aren't taxed twice on the same income. It's challenging to think of every tax consequence throughout the movie, especially those in a fictional world, but these are the highlights. If you have a movie for me to review—especially those with an interesting tax or financial crimes twist—send me an email (kerb@ for consideration.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
May the 4th be with you. Celebrate Star Wars Day in Michigan
May 4 is always a special day for fans of Star Wars and that's why on Sunday you will likely hear someone utter "May the 4th be with you." The phrase comes from a line of dialogue in the 1977 film, "Star Wars," which gained the expanded title "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" as George Lucas' space opera saga expanded over the decades. In the film, before the rebel fighters begin their assault on the Death Star, General Dodonna encourages them with the command: "Then man your ships! And may the Force be with you!" "May the Force be with you" is a saying that, excuse the pun, flows through the Star Wars movies, TV series, books and comics. It's a saying used by Jedi Knights such as Obi-Wan Kenobi referencing the Force, a form of energy connecting the galaxy, which some Force-sensitive individuals can tap into and enhance their abilities. Saying, "May the Force be with you," is akin to wishing someone "Good Luck." The Force is a mysterious energy that flows through all things and imbues the Jedi knights (the good guys) and the Sith (the bad guys) with their power to move objects, block laser blasts and influence those with weak minds. The origins of the saying "May the 4th be with you," may be surprising. While it was used in headlines for July 4 back to 1978, according to the first reported official use of the phrase came in May 1979, when Margaret Thatcher became the U.K.'s prime minister. To celebrate, the U.K. Conservative Party paid for a newspaper advertisement saying, 'May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!' wrote Steve Sansweet on in 2013. Over the years as the Star Wars universe grew with 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back" through the prequel films and subsequent sequel trilogy, which included 2015's "The Force Awakens," the "May the 4th be with you" phenomenon grew into an unofficial "Star Wars Day" holiday with fans holding "Star Wars Day" parties or watching the movies in observance of the day. The easiest way to celebrate is to stream some of the movies, all 11 of which are available on Disney+ (Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012). Also on the streaming service is Season Two of "Andor," a series that is set before the events of 2016 film "Rogue One," which leads up to "Star Wars: A New Hope." The first six episodes of the series are available; six more are scheduled. If you prefer to get out and mingle with other Star Wars fans, you're in luck. Space Dive, 715 E. Milwaukee St. in Detroit, a two-weekend entertainment event, kicked off May 2 and continues through May 4, and then again May 9-10. "The best dive bar in the galaxy. Immersive cantina. Costumes mandatory," the event's Facebook page announces. The "event"ultimate immersive cantina" says costumes can be both elaborate and simple."You are your own character in a dive bar in a galaxy far, far away," the website says. "That could mean aliens or creatures of all species and sorts — smugglers, pilots, gangsters, bounty hunters, criminals, etc. Think vests, khaki jackets, ponchos, capes, straps, goggles, etc. A lot of looks you'd see in a Western would work. Wasteland gear works. Playa gear is perfect, and so on. A dash of face paint, an alien hair style. Earth-toned desert garb is simple, and a little goes a long way..." Tickets for 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. (21-plus) event on May 4, 9 and 10 start at $52.50 and are available online. Family Day is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10. "Kids are FREE, adults are only $10! Entry is paid at the gate the day of the event," the event says. Not ready to hang out with galactic smugglers, thieves and rebel scum? The Grand Rapids Symphony is performing the music of Star Wars on May 4. Watch the fourth episode in the Star Wars saga and hear the Grand Rapids Symphony perform John Williams' Oscar-winning score. Set 30 years after "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace," "Star Wars: A New Hope" returns to the desert planet of Tatooine in the fourth episode of the saga. The symphony performs at 2 p.m. May 4 at Van Andel Arena. Tickets are available online, starting at $29. Interested in becoming a stormtrooper? The Great Lakes Garrison's 501st Legion is appearing at a number of events in southeast Michigan on May 4. Events listed on the garrison website include a visit to the Clarkson library, the Farmington crop walk, the Care Walk in Grand Rapids, Petoskey District Library Star Wars Day event, Michigan Panthers Star Wars Night, and a screening of "A New Hope" in Grand Rapids dubbed into Ojibwe. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: May the 4th be with you. Michigan Star Wars Day events: music, costumes, stormtroopers
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Star Wars Day 2025: Why we say, 'May the 4th be with you' on unofficial holiday
May 4 is always a special day for fans of Star Wars and that's why on Sunday you will likely hear someone utter "May the 4th be with you." The saying comes from a line of dialogue in the 1977 film, "Star Wars," which gained the expanded title "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope" as George Lucas' space opera saga expanded over the decades. In the film, before the rebel fighters begin their assault on the Death Star, General Dodonna encourages them with the command: "Then man your ships! And may the Force be with you!" "May the Force be with you" is a saying that, excuse the pun, flows through the Star Wars movies, TV series, books and comics. It's a saying used by Jedi Knights such as Obi-Wan Kenobi referencing the Force, a form of energy connecting the galaxy, which some Force-sensitive individuals can tap into and enhance their abilities. Saying, "May the Force be with you," is akin to wishing someone "Good Luck." The origins of the saying "May the 4th be with you," may be surprising. While it was used in headlines for July 4 back to 1978, according to the first reported official use of the phrase came in May 1979, when Margaret Thatcher became the U.K.'s prime minister. To celebrate, the U.K. Conservative Party paid for a newspaper advertisement saying, 'May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!' wrote Steve Sansweet on in 2013. Over the years as the Star Wars universe grew with 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back" through the prequel films and subsequent sequel trilogy, which included 2015's "The Force Awakens," the "May the 4th be with you" phenomenon grew into an unofficial "Star Wars Day" holiday with fans holding "Star Wars Day" parties or watching the movies in observance of the day. At the recent Star Wars Celebration Japan event, it was announced that an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the initial movie's debut will be held in Los Angeles in 2027. More 'Star Wars' to come: Ryan Gosling to star in new 'Star Wars: Starfighter' movie: What we know so far The easiest way to celebrate is to stream some of the movies, all 11 of which are available on Disney+ (Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012). Also on the streaming service is Season Two of "Andor," a series that is set before the events of 2016 film "Rogue One," which leads up to "Star Wars: A New Hope." The first six episodes of the series are available; six more are scheduled. Many restaurants, movie theaters, toy stores, and other businesses hold Star Wars Day events, too. Sports venues often have Star Wars celebrations around May 4. Check social media for #Maythe4th. You can also shop the Disney Store's May the 4th Be With You 2025 Collection, which includes T-shirts, pins, hats, and more. There's also special Star Wars products on and merchandise from Star Wars Celebration Japan on If you are also a fan of Fortnite, you can get a head start on the upcoming "Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld," a six-episode animated series. It hits Disney+ on May 4, but you can see the first two episodes May 2 inside the video game. Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY's Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider & msnider@ What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: May the 4th be with you: How 'Star Wars' Day started, what it means
The Independent
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Chewbacca's bowcaster used in original Star Wars trilogy sells for £593,985
Chewbacca's bowcaster, used in the original Star Wars trilogy, has sold for 768,600 dollars (£593,985) at auction, smashing its estimate. The Wookie's weapon, which was used in films including 1980's Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, and described by auctioneers Propstore as 'one of the rarest Star Wars hero props in existence', beat its estimate of between 250,000 to 500,000 US dollars (£198,000 to £397,000). The item is a real Horton crossbow which was modified for the character, nicknamed 'Chewie' and played by Peter Mayhew, to give it a futuristic yet battle-worn look so it could serve as a laser weapon. Some of the components have been removed and missing parts have been recreated, according to the auctioneer. A medal given to Luke Skywalker after he destroyed the Death Star in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) was also sold for 378,000 dollars (£292,124). The Medal of Yavin, worn by the future Jedi master Luke (Mark Hamill) during the first film in the franchise, after he was presented with it by his sister Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), was estimated to sell for between 300,000 to 600,000 US dollars (£238,000 to £476,000). It is also believed to have been worn by Harrison Ford – who played Han Solo – during rehearsals, with Propstore claiming it is the 'first and only medal to be offered for public sale' coming from the collection of props master Gerard Bourke, who worked on the original Star Wars films. Luke blows up the Death Star in the movie after rebels find the plans for the planet-destroying weapon, which is later rebuilt in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi. After fan complaints that Chewbacca was not also given a medal for his efforts, he was handed the bravery honour during 2019's Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker. Brandon Alinger, Propstore's chief operating officer, said after the auction: 'Propstore are thrilled with the incredible success of the first day of our Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction. 'The auction surpassed our expectations and showcased the enduring popularity of franchises like Star Wars.' Star Wars, originally filmed at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, has turned into a huge franchise, spawning prequels, sequels and spin-off shows including The Mandalorian, Andor and 2019's Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.
