Iconic films: In a galaxy not so far away

Dubai: On May 25, 1977 the first of the iconic Star Wars films opened to audiences. The film, written and directed by George Lucas and released by 20th Century Fox, opened to American audiences. The initial response was mixed but the film went on to amass a total receipt of nearly $800 million (Dh2.9 billion) worldwide. It won multiple awards at the 50th Annual Academy Awards and created a cult following for future Star Wars movies. Thirty six years later, the rumble created by this money making franchise has not died down.

The franchise has been bought off by Disney, who paid creator George Lucas a staggering $4.05 billion. A new Star Wars animated series seems set to air on TV in 2014. This will be followed by a film — Star Wars Episode VII – apparently bringing back the original trio of Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker (who are now well past their 60s) in 2015.

“I think Star Wars Rebels will capture the look, feel and fun that both kids and their parents love about Star Wars,” Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said.

The six-film franchise grossed in excess of $4.4 billion, but there was more to Star Wars than just a film. It spawned all kinds of cultures and radical thought processes to drive home the point that whether we accept it or not, ‘the force is still with us.’