Today Friday, it’ll be exactly 30 years since Star Wars blasted away all expectations after opening in just 32 movie theaters on May 25, 1977. The anniversary will be marked by commemorative items, parties and events. I’m a big fan of Star Wars since I first saw Empire Strikes Back in the 80′s!
The movie that 20th Century Fox nearly abandoned in mid-production ended up earning $460 million at the box office in the U.S. alone, boosted by the release of a special edition in 1997. The film is the second-highest-grossing movie of all time, behind Titanic.
There is no competition, however, in the world of toys and other tie-ins. The Star Wars franchise has raked in US$13.5 billion in merchandising alone since 1977, according to Lucasfilm.
Thousands of fans are expected to attend a five-day Celebration IV party at the Los Angeles Convention Centre, May 24-28. Fanboys still nursing childhood crushes on Princess Leia will be excited to see Carrie Fisher in a rare convention appearance, and the apex of the event will be a marathon screening of all six movies in the saga, starting with Episode I: The Phantom Menace and ending with Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
To coincide with the anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing 15 Star Wars stamps. (Mailboxes that look like R2-D2 have on the streets for the past few months to promote the release.)
Wah you must be really an ardent fan.. just like my wife. She’ll hit me if I say bad things about StarWars.. hahahah :-)
your wife is a wise woman … she is wise to hit those who dun support Star Wars
So cherish her and help her become one with the Force
Live long and prosper \/
:-p