There are few movie franchises that can claim to have almost universal recognition. Yet, in 1977, a movie would be released which would create one of the largest fan bases in movie history, this movie is of course the first Star Wars movie, Star Wars later renamed Episode IV: A New Hope. After the first Star Wars movie was released it became instantly a cultural phenomenon, raising over 700 millions U.S dollars worldwide. This was even a surprise to even the creator George Lucus who said “I thought Star Wars was too wacky for the general public.” Yet with all its quirks he managed to enamor people around the globe in this fictional world that he created.
The publicity for the franchise only grew when the second movie in the series The Empire Strikes Back. The movie arrived three years after the first one was released. Yet, the phrase May the Fourth be with you was coined a year early to the release of the second movie. Surprisingly the phrase had originated in a political ad by a British newspaper in order to congratulate the U.K Prime minister Margret Thatcher on her election victory. This is oddly a not so rare occurrence in the U.K, as it has had seemed to be a pattern of political candidates using phrases such as this phrase ‘May The Fourth Be With You’ as well as other Star Wars related phrases to aid in their own popularity.
The popularity of the franchise had begun to pick up steam during this time and it seemed to not be showing any indications of slowing down. When the Star wars trilogy was finished, it had led the fans to group up with others that showed a common interest in the show as soon a festival, which would soon be known all along the fandom had been scheduled in Toronto, Canada. This festival, while not the largest of them, showed that the franchise had not only become a temporary fad, but a community of people united in an enjoyment of a series. From the festival’s success it led to an annual celebration of the creation of the series.
In the modern day, more than 50 years have passed since the release of the first movie, many can appreciate the history behind the phrase May The Fourth Be With You as more than just a catchphrase. But, as a symbolism of a community’s dedication to a franchise.
