May 4 is now widely recognized as the Star Wars holiday. It’s commonly known as “May the 4th Be With You”, a pun on the well-known franchise catchphrase, “May the Force be with you.” Fans of the media franchise celebrate all things Star Wars on the unofficial holiday that is gaining notoriety.
Kendall Phillips is a professor at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and an expert on American film and pop culture rhetoric. Phillips says the franchise has done an excellent job ingraining itself in contemporary culture – which is one of the reasons Star Wars Day will continue to capture the attention of adoring fans.
Phillips says:
“In my view, Star Wars has now become founding American – and indeed global – mythology. The franchise has done an excellent job of becoming deeply ingrained in contemporary culture – from references like ‘Luke, I am your father’ to the almost ubiquitous merchandising.
“Still, in spite of its overwhelming familiarity, the studio has been able to make the release of each new film an event. And, now that the franchise is over 40 years old, it has become a family event with parents eager to introduce their children to the Star Wars magic.”
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