Latest news with #StarWarsCelebrationJapan
Yomiuri Shimbun
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Here's Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day across the Galaxy
AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File A Star Wars supporter poses for a photo during a fan convention called the Star Wars Celebration Japan in Chiba, near Tokyo, April 18, 2025. It didn't begin a long time ago or in a galaxy far far away, but every May 4 it feels like images, memes and promotional deals involving 'Star Wars' have an inescapable gravity. May 4 — or May the 4th, as fans say — has evolved over the years into Star Wars Day, an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise. What is Star Wars Day? Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films' most popular catchphrases, 'May the force be with you.' Get it? Good, now May the 4th be with you too. It's not an official holiday but has become so well-known that even former President Joe Biden marked it last year when 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House a day beforehand. 'I think it's a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for 'Star Wars' once a year,' said Steve Sansweet, founder and executive chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit museum in California that has the world's largest collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia. How did it begin? The phrase 'May the 4th be with you' was used by fans in the years after the first film was released in 1977, and even appeared in a British political ad in 1979 celebrating Margaret Thatcher's victory as prime minister on May 4 that year. For some fans, the official Star Wars Day comes on May 25, the date of the first film's release. The Los Angeles City Council even declared the date to be Star Wars Day in 2007, although the California Legislature voted in 2019 to designate May 4 as Star Wars Day. How has it spread? May the 4th caught on informally among fans through inside jokes shared on social media and viewings of the films to mark the occasion. Businesses eventually joined in on the fun, with brands ranging from Nissan to Jameson Whiskey running ads or posting on social media about it. Disney, which acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, embraced the day as a way to further promote the franchise with merchandise, special screenings and other events surrounding the brand. Not all 'Star Wars' fans are enthused about how ubiquitous the once-underground joke has become. Chris Taylor, a senior editor at Mashable and author of 'How Star Wars Conquered the Universe,' labels himself a 'May the 4th grinch' in part because of its commercialization. 'I love a good dad joke as much as anyone, but my God you can take it too far,' Taylor said. How is it being celebrated this year? The day is being celebrated on a large and small scale this year. Disney+ is launching the new series 'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' on the date, and it comes as the second season gets underway for another franchise series, 'Andor.' It also follows the announcement that a new stand-alone 'Star Wars' film installment starring Ryan Gosling will be released in 2027. Disney marks the day with the launch of new 'Star Wars' merchandise, ranging from lightsaber sets to jewelry. Most Major League Baseball teams have marked the day in recent years with special events incorporating 'Star Wars' characters. For example, the San Francisco Giants sold special tickets for Saturday's game that included a bobblehead portraying pitcher Logan Webb as 'Obi-Webb Kenobi.' It's hard to find a place where May the 4th celebrations aren't occurring, from bakeries serving cookies with a 'Star Wars' theme to concerts featuring the memorable scores of the films. It's a town-wide celebration in New Hope, Pennsylvania, which shares its name with the subtitle of the first 'Star Wars' film. The town of about 2,600 people, located 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia, plans to have costumed characters throughout town with restaurants serving themed items like a 'YodaRita.' 'I would always joke around and wish people 'May the 4th' — but taking it to this level, I've definitely upped my 'Star Wars' nerdiness,' said Michael Sklar, president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce.
Japan Forward
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Star Wars Celebration Japan: The Ultimate Fan Galaxy
At Star Wars Celebration Japan, fans, filmmakers, and stars came together in a joyful, global tribute to the galaxy that shaped this writer's childhood. The Live Stage at Star Wars Celebration Japan, where hordes of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. As a lifelong Star Wars superfan, I can't tell you how excited I was when, in 2023, Lucasfilm announced that the next edition of its official fan expo Star Wars Celebration would be held in 2025 in Japan, bringing a selection of my favorite movie stars and 100,000 fans together at Makuhari Messe. I immediately collared my colleagues on IGN's US team to suggest we collaborate on coverage when the event came out of hyperspace two years later. I've never planned anything so far ahead in my life! It was worth it. For the three days of April 18–20 at Star Wars Celebration Japan, the IGN Japan and US editorial teams worked closely together in our own private on-site studio. There, we interviewed the stars of Star Wars . From The Mandalorian filmmakers and series stewards Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau to actors like Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks), and half a dozen cast members from the Disney+ show Andor, we spoke with dozens of visiting guests from a galaxy far, far away. Daniel shaking hands with Hayden Christensen (left), the actor who portrays Anakin Skywalker and his evil alter-ego, Darth Vader. During Celebration, new shows were announced. Surprises included a brand-new animated series titled Maul: Shadow Lord , which follows the one-time Sith apprentice as he returns from near-death. Attendees also got a first look at footage from the upcoming film The Mandalorian & Grogu , which will be the first big-screen Star Wars movie since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker when it is released in 2026. In a surprise appearance, actor Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy confirmed the title of their own upcoming movie, Star Wars: Starfighter . They said it will hit theaters on May 28, 2027. Director Dave Filoni, co-writer Jon Favreau, and Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy share a first glimpse of the upcoming Star Wars movie The Mandalorian & Grogu on the Celebration Stage. We covered these and more announcements from the show floor, which you can read about in more detail on IGN. Star Wars has been my favorite movie series for as long as I can remember. I was around four years old when Return of the Jedi came out in 1983, and I was instantly hooked. As a child, I'm not sure how much of the story I took in. Nevertheless, heroes Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa left an indelible mark on my tiny soul, while droids R2-D2 and C-3PO still feel like some of my oldest friends. Not to mention the film's bizarre collection of creatures, from the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt to the plucky Ewok Wicket, and the huge collection of action figures that brought them to life in my hands even after the movie ended. This was in the days of VHS tapes, and when my dad recorded a TV broadcast of 1977's A New Hope , I watched it over and over again, my imagination on fire. Its tale of a raggedy band of brave heroes fighting to topple a fascistic authoritarian empire feels just as relevant today. Two other formative movie series for me were Ghostbusters , released in 1984 when I was five or six, and the space horror masterpiece Alien , which invaded my psyche forever when I saw it much too young at around age 10. I re-watch films in these series every year or two, even now, and they have defined my taste forever. Sigourney Weaver on the set of The Mandalorian & Grogu with Jon Favreau. So, imagine my shock when, during our planning for Star Wars Celebration Japan, I learned I would have the chance to interview the actress who played Dana Barrett and Ellen Ripley herself: Sigourney Weaver. She will join the Star Wars universe for the first time when she appears in The Mandalorian & Grogu , slated for release in 2026. I have interviewed hundreds of stars, and I rarely get starstruck or nervous. But looking through the list of interviewees a couple of weeks before Celebration and seeing the name "Sigourney Weaver" knocked the wind out of me. As the event grew closer, I grew ever more convinced that faced with this heroine of my childhood, I would forget my own name or simply burst into flames. Thankfully, I was able to get this out of my system before Celebration. When the time came, Weaver was a delight, answering our ludicrous questions comparing cute little Grogu with the terrifying Xenomorph with grace and humor. I even managed to remember my own name. It was also a thrill to meet Ahmed Best. When The Phantom Menace was released in 1999, his character Jar-Jar Binks was a jarring presence (no pun intended). I'm ashamed to say that old-school Star Wars fans like myself treated the character's slapstick antics with vocal disdain. Best has spoken out about how even in these pre-social media days, the backlash was so harsh that he considered taking his own life. Exsqueeze me! Mesa happy to meet the lovely Ahmed Best at SWCJ!The one and only Jar-Jar Binks *and* Kelleran Beq 💕 ジャー・ジャーの俳優であるAhmed Bestさんに会えて嬉しかったです！ — Daniel Robson (@NoMoreDaniels) April 18, 2025 The prequel movies have been widely reappraised since then. Now that digital filmmaking has become the norm, they don't feel so alien — and indeed, they set the blueprint for pretty much all of today's blockbuster effects movies. Also, the younger generation of fans for whom the prequels were their first Star Wars movies loved goofy Jar-Jar, and now they are adults themselves. Personally, a few years ago, I watched through the Star Wars movies in sequence with my daughter when she was around seven years old. Seeing her giggle at Jar-Jar's chaotic antics made me fall in love with him completely. Best has since been reinstated into the Star Wars fold, playing Kelleran Beq, the Jedi knight who saved Grogu from destruction in the Jedi Temple during Season 3 of The Mandalorian – a role of great dignity. Meeting him at Celebration was such a pleasure. Later that weekend, my daughter and I found a Jar-Jar plush that shrieks uncontrollably when squeezed. It made us laugh so hard, we had no choice but to buy it. I love the Star Wars films and spinoff shows themselves, of course, but also the fandom around them. Star Wars Celebration Japan brought fans of all ages and nationalities to Makuhari Messe. While I don't know the official percentage, it felt like 70 or 80% of the audience was from overseas, with Disney claiming participants from 125 countries. Many of the fans I met told me they were visiting Japan for the first time, taking a couple of weeks on either side of Celebration to explore Tokyo or to visit cities like Osaka and Kyoto. Star Wars creator George Lucas was influenced in part by Japanese culture and the movies of Akira Kurosawa, so Japan was like a mecca for these fans. I felt proud that Star Wars could make so many people interested in Japan and its culture, with Celebration showing Japan in a positive light that the 2020 Olympics or Expo 2025 Osaka could have only dreamed of. And where you have a massive venue filled with Star Wars fans, you have cosplay. Japanese cosplayers are of course the best in the world, and at Celebration I was amazed by cosplayer Ricky's acrobatic recreation of a rolling Droideka robot, Yuuki's kimono-clad oiran Maul, Mayu's Sith bandit leader from Star Wars: Visions , a guy dressed as Luke Skywalker riding a horse-like Tauntaun, and a couple connected together as the front and back halves of Anakin's podracer. Cosplayer Yuuki posing in an exquisite kimono as an oiran take on Star Wars villain Maul It was also impressive to see how visiting fans brought their intricate costumes with them to Japan, not to be outdone by the locals. Some favourites included a lifelike (and very tall) Chewbacca, and a pair of women dressed as the Rancor monster and its keeper. Meanwhile, some friends of mine dressed as Mandalorian warrior Bo-Katan Kryze, the Master Codebreaker from a casino in The Last Jedi , and a Jedi escorting his kids dressed as Mando and Ahsoka Tano. Seeing the amount of work they put into their costumes during the run-up to Celebration was inspiring. The Rancor monster from Return of the Jedi, led by its affable keeper. Another cool thing was SWAG. An acronym for "Something We All Get/Give" that also simply means "swag," this is a tradition where fans trade homemade stickers, patches, badges, and even 3D-printed figures with other fans. It's a great way to break the ice, and the amount of creativity that goes into these items is incredible, from artistic takes on beloved characters to iconography advertising local fan groups from around the world. Not wanting to be left out, I made a batch of stickers before Celebration to trade, featuring a terrible pun-based gag that managed to win a few laughs when I exchanged them with people at the show. Here's the sticker design — please forgive me! Star Wars Celebration Japan was an overwhelming outpouring of positivity that made me happy to be a Star Wars fan. It was a dream come true to meet the stars of my favourite movies and TV shows, of course, but more than that, it was a joy to meet so many other fans in person. Away from the anonymous barrier of social media, there was no negativity to be found. It was also a delight to expose my daughter, now nearly 13, to this wholesome expression of love, unity, and hope. In these turbulent times, it really felt like being a part of a Rebel Alliance. Far from merely an expo, Star Wars Celebration Japan was just that: a celebration. Author: Daniel Robson
Japan Today
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Here's why May the 4th is celebrated as Star Wars Day across the galaxy
FILE - A Star Wars supporter poses for a photo during a fan convention called the Star Wars Celebration Japan in Chiba, near Tokyo, Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File) By ANDREW DeMILLO It didn't begin a long time ago or in a galaxy far far away, but every May 4 it feels like images, memes and promotional deals involving 'Star Wars' have an inescapable gravity. May 4 — or May the 4th, as fans say — has evolved over the years into Star Wars Day, an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise. Star Wars Day was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films' most popular catchphrases, 'May the force be with you.' Get it? Good, now May the 4th be with you too. It's not an official holiday but has become so well-known that even former President Joe Biden marked it last year when 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House a day beforehand. 'I think it's a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for 'Star Wars' once a year,' said Steve Sansweet, founder and executive chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit museum in California that has the world's largest collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia. The phrase 'May the 4th be with you' was used by fans in the years after the first film was released in 1977, and even appeared in a British political ad in 1979 celebrating Margaret Thatcher's victory as prime minister on May 4 that year. For some fans, the official Star Wars Day comes on May 25, the date of the first film's release. The Los Angeles City Council even declared the date to be Star Wars Day in 2007, although the California Legislature voted in 2019 to designate May 4 as Star Wars Day. May the 4th caught on informally among fans through inside jokes shared on social media and viewings of the films to mark the occasion. Businesses eventually joined in on the fun, with brands ranging from Nissan to Jameson Whiskey running ads or posting on social media about it. Disney, which acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, embraced the day as a way to further promote the franchise with merchandise, special screenings and other events surrounding the brand. Not all 'Star Wars' fans are enthused about how ubiquitous the once-underground joke has become. Chris Taylor, a senior editor at Mashable and author of 'How Star Wars Conquered the Universe,' labels himself a 'May the 4th grinch" in part because of its commercialization. 'I love a good dad joke as much as anyone, but my God you can take it too far,' Taylor said. The day is being celebrated on a large and small scale this year. Disney+ is launching the new series 'Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld' on the date, and it comes as the second season gets underway for another franchise series, 'Andor.' It also follows the announcement that a new stand-alone 'Star Wars' film installment starring Ryan Gosling will be released in 2027. Disney marks the day with the launch of new 'Star Wars' merchandise, ranging from lightsaber sets to jewelry. Most Major League Baseball teams have marked the day in recent years with special events incorporating 'Star Wars' characters. For example, the San Francisco Giants sold special tickets for Saturday's game that included a bobblehead portraying pitcher Logan Webb as 'Obi-Webb Kenobi.' It's hard to find a place where May the 4th celebrations aren't occurring, from bakeries serving cookies with a 'Star Wars' theme to concerts featuring the memorable scores of the films. It's a town-wide celebration in New Hope, Pennsylvania, which shares its name with the subtitle of the first 'Star Wars' film. The town of about 2,600 people, located 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of Philadelphia, plans to have costumed characters throughout town with restaurants serving themed items like a 'YodaRita.' 'I would always joke around and wish people 'May the 4th' — but taking it to this level, I've definitely upped my 'Star Wars' nerdiness,' said Michael Sklar, president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Hayden Christensen hints at more Darth Vader stories after Ahsoka season 2 return
Hayden Christensen has confirmed that Anakin Skywalker will return in Season 2 of Ahsoka, marking another appearance in the Disney+ live-action series. The actor revealed the news during a panel at Star Wars Celebration Japan, following his cameo in Season 1, where Anakin appeared as a Force ghost within the World Between Worlds to guide his former apprentice, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). 'I can't say much, but Anakin will be back for season 2,' Christensen told attendees, hinting at further exploration of the Jedi-turned-Sith's legacy. Beyond his appearance in Ahsoka, Christensen previously reprised the role of Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi, the six-episode series that reunited him with Ewan McGregor and explored the fallout between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. That post-Episode III timeline has been explored in projects like Star Wars Rebels and Marvel's Darth Vader comics by Charles Soule. The 2017 'Vader: Year One' run picked up immediately after Anakin's transformation, following his early days as the Emperor's enforcer and revealing the origins of his red lightsaber and his fortress on Mustafar. Reflecting on the character's arc, Christensen told 'There's a lot that we could still explore with Vader. From where we left off after Episode III, and everything that he has to reconcile after being trapped in this new version of himself, there's just a lot of very rich stories that we could still tell.' He added, 'I love the character, and I'd love to get to continue with it. And so hopefully we'll get to do more of it.' With Christensen eager to return and untold stories still waiting, Darth Vader's journey in the Star Wars universe may be far from over.
