The Force is strong with these shows

May the Fourth be with you.

Today is Star Wars Day and, to celebrate this unofficial holiday — and the upcoming theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu later this month — we thought we’d take a little dig into other stories from the Star Wars universe beyond the core three trilogies: the original (Episodes IV-VI, 1977 to 1983), the prequel (Episodes I-III, 1999 to 2005) and the sequel (Episodes VII-IX, 2015 to 2019). And yes, we know about Andor, but we’re keeping this to the pew-pew-pew Star Wars, not political drama Star Wars.

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● The Mandalorian (2019-2023)

Jon Favreau’s live-action space western series for Disney+ is what launched the phenomenon that is Grogu (the co-star of the upcoming film), but in 2019 when he first appeared on our screens, we only knew him as Baby Yoda.

This practical puppet is practically scientifically engineered to be adorable — his duck-down head, his giant eyes, his too long sleeves — but his reveal during the pilot episode of the show, which follows a lone bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) who becomes the protector of this youngling who can use the Force, was a true surprise, owing to how closely guarded the character was prior to show’s première.

Now, Grogu, as we learn he is called, is a bona fide pop culture phenomenon. But it helps, too, that the show in which he stars is great, too.

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●Star Wars: Droids: The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO (1985-1986)

This short-lived 1980s animated series explored the adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2 in the years immediately before Episode IV: A New Hope. Our heroes fight the bad guys but, owing to the fact they are droids, are also constantly in service to new masters.

Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO in the live-action films, lends his voice to his animated counterpart in the show, which was produced by the Canadian animation studio Nelvana for Lucasfilm and broadcast alongside its sister series, Ewoks.

Naturally, these were largely vehicles to move associated toy lines, but Droids also had a banger of a theme song: In Trouble Again, which was co-written and performed by Stewart Copeland of the Police.

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●Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

A critical darling but a box-office bomb, the origin story of Han Solo and Chewbacca is actually a heist movie full of heart.

Alden Ehrenreich is young Han Solo, a role originated by Harrison Ford. His backstory is compelling, but it’s the burgeoning friendship between a loner and a captured Wookiee that makes this entry into the universe worth your time. That and the casting: not only is Ehrenreich note-perfect as an acerbic but not-yet-fully cynical Solo, Donald Glover is charismatic as a young Lando Calrissian, who is portrayed by a suave-as-hell Billy Dee Williams in the original films. When Glover asked Williams’ advice about playing the character, he reportedly told him, “Just be charming.”

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● Star Wars: Resistance (2018-2020)

This two-season animated series takes place before and during the events of the sequel trilogy, and follows Kazuda Xiono (voiced by Christopher Sean), a New Republic pilot recruited by the Resistance to spy on the First Order.

While meant for a younger audience, there’s plenty for grown-up fans to enjoy here, too: including BB-8, the breakout droid from the sequel trilogy, who is a major supporting character in the first season. The puppylike orange and white rollerball droid companion of Poe Dameron, portrayed in the sequel trilogy by Oscar Isaac, also gets a bestie in CB-23.

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●Lego Star Wars

This is an entire galaxy unto itself with nearly 1,000 full builder sets based on the franchise as well as Lego Star Wars video games, animated short films and TV series.

What’s interesting is that Star Wars has the distinction of being the first intellectual property to be licensed by the Lego Group in 1999, paving the way for Lego Batman, Lego Spider-Man, etc. According to CNBC, the Jar Jar Binks mini figure was actually the first to feature a custom head sculpt instead of the standard Lego head we all know and love.

winnipegfreepress/jenzoratti

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