Star Wars Day 2024: Films, Fortnite and why the day is special for fans

May the 4th is officially Star Wars day, a time to celebrate all things related to the famous franchise set in a galaxy far, far away.

The date originated from a famous line from the Star Wars films, "May the force be with you." Which sounds a lot like "May the fourth be with you".

The day has been recognised since 1999, and each year fans like to mark the occasion with watch-parties and dressing-up.

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Star Wars Day often sees new announcements about future films, TV series and video games, as well as official events and special releases.

For May 4th this year, Disney+ is releasing Tales of the Empire, a new six-part animated series as a follow-up to 2022's Tales of the Jedi.

It focuses on two characters and the evil Galactic Empire set within the time line of the original trilogy of movies.

One of the characters, Morgan Elsbeth, the villain from the the Ahsoka live action series, is recruited by the Empire.

The other character featured is fallen Jedi Barriss Offee, seen in The Clone Wars animated series, who goes on to become a member of Darth Vader's team of deadly Jedi-hunters, known as Inquisitors.

Star Wars has also returned to the video game Fortnite, in what has become a regular collaboration.

There's a new Camp landmark to rescue Chewbacca, in the Battle Royale game mode.

The iconic wookie will also aid players by firing his famous bowcaster weapon, if gamers decide to help him.

Darth Vader is also back as a boss battle, so listen out for his deep breathing and don't get too close, otherwise he might grab you with the force!

A Star Wars update has also come to Lego Fortnite, which will be littered with lightsabers, stormtroopers and more.

Star Wars began in 1977 with the release of Star Wars, which was later given the title of Star Wars: A New Hope.

It was expected that the film would be a limited success so it was given a relatively low budget, with production being moved to Elstree Studios in England to help save on costs.

After several production difficulties, the cast and crew believed the film would be a failure.

The movie went $3 million over budget due to delays - which in the 1970s was even more money than it is today.

Even the film's creator George Lucas was unsure Star Wars would be a success.

The film was released in a small number of movie theatres in the United States on 25 May 1977, and quickly became a surprise blockbuster hit all over the world.

Star Wars went on to become the highest-grossing film series of any film franchise, making the most money at the global box office.

In 2012, George Lucas sold Lucasfilm, the company that makes Star Wars movies and TV programmes, to Disney for $4 billion.

Today the franchise is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, thanks to nine saga films, several movie spin-offs, TV series and tonnes of merchandise.

Films, TV shows and video games are often set at different times within the Star Wars universe.

So when it comes to new releases jumping around the timeline, it can sometimes become a little confusing as to what is set when.

Some fans suggest that for those viewing the films for the first time, release order is best, starting with the original trilogy of films, as there are some fairly significant reveals in the Empire Strikes Back, specifically.

However, as those films are more than 40 years old, others argue that those reveals are so well-known that watching in episode number order is best - so that the story makes complete sense from start to finish.

Meanwhile, the 'Mandoverse' - which is anything set during the time of the Mandalorian TV series - is roughly five years after the film, Return of the Jedi.

It seems that when it comes to Star Wars, there are still plenty of stories to tell in a galaxy far, far away.

Announcements have already been made confirming a big screen adventure for the Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled for May 2026.

Lucasfilm has also confirmed that the TV series Ahsoka will return for a second season.

Although there's no release date yet, the show is expected to drop by late-2025 at the earliest.

The show's writer, Dave Filoni, will also direct a movie that will release to tie up all the stories from the 'Mandoverse' TV series era, possibly scheduled for a release that will mark the franchise's 50th anniversary in 2027.

Another return to the cinema for the franchise will focus on the character of Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, the star of the sequel trilogy of movies. The film will take place 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker.

As for what's to come this year, a new live-action series on Disney+ named The Acolyte will release in June, set during the High Republic era 200-years before the events of The Phantom Menace.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is also scheduled to be released on Disney+ at some point later this year. Directed by Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts and featuring a young cast, it's been described as if Stranger Things was combined with Star Wars.