Star Wars fans, we’ve done it, our collective passion for the story of Stor has landed our fandom at the #2 slot in FanSided’s #Fandom250, a comprehensive list that includes the top fandoms from across the globe…
When George Lucas brought Star Wars: A New Hope to the big screen in 1977, there is no way he could know his film would have the impact it and the entire saga would have on an entire generation of people, and generations of people to come. This is why Star Wars has more than earned its spot at #2 on FanSided’s #Fandom250 list, and quite honestly, really deserves to be #1, but that’s for a later discussion. (congrats Cubs fans!)
After A New Hope in 1977, Lucas followed up with perhaps the greatest sequel in cinematic history, with The Empire Strikes Back, and then he wrapped the Original Trilogy with Return of the Jedi. The Original Trilogy was one the great masterpieces of modern movie making, as it told a sweeping story, filled with grand adventure and deep, complex characters.
And then came the Prequel Trilogy. Not initially well received, but over the years, fans have learned to enjoy the finer the finer points of each film. Perhaps The Phantom Menace’s Darth Maul can be seen as the Prequel Trilogy’s favorite villain, although he was dealt with at the end of the film (not dead, just dealt with).
Attack of the Clones can be seen as the Prequel Trilogy’s most despised film, from an overall perspective. Many fans take umbrage with Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of a creepy, angsty, and whiney Anakin Skywalker, trying to push himself on Natalie Portman’s Padmé Amidala. I think it, however, it is important to realize that Christensen was only acting how his character was written by Lucas.
Finally, the third and final film in the Prequel Trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, can probably be seen as many fans’ favorite for its dark and insidious tones, for a Star Wars film. This was the rise of the Sith. The fall of the Jedi Order. The rise of Darth Vader and the fall of Anakin Skywalker.
For all the failings of Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith made up for it in spades with heart-wrenching scenes of the Jedi being slaughtered by the Clones they served with and by Anakin/Vader slaughtering the younglings in the Jedi Temple. And of course the dialogue between Obi-Wan and Anakin on Mustafar.
Image Credit: Lucasfilm
Now that Disney has made a room for Lucasfilm in the Mouse House, there really is no stopping to what can happen with Star Wars films. The Force Awakens was amazing and was a box office juggernaut. Rogue One will hit theaters in 10 days and is already setting records for ticket pre-sales. And, in 2017, Star Wars: Episode VIII continues the Star Wars saga. It really is a good time to be a Star Wars fan.
More from Dork Side of the Force
- Daniel José Older named a High Republic Adventures character after someone special
- How animation changed Star Wars: Ewoks and Droids
- Kelleran Beq comes to Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
- The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal becomes No. 1 on IMDb’s Starmeter for 2023
- Unwrapping the Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar: Day 7
We want to hear from you! Let us know how it feels being the #2 fandom in the world, behind the Cubs, of course. Let us know in the comments below and on social media, and please use the hashtag #Fandom250.