Another year, another Star Wars Day!
To commemorate May the 4th, Disney+ is once again releasing special art that coincides with many of the franchise's major projects that have spanned more than four decades. A banner dropped on the streaming platform over the weekend to prepare fans for the big day, highlighting many characters from all generations of the Skywalker saga like Kylo Ren and Anakin Skywalker.
Last year, the normal banners for their respective films and shows were replaced by official concept art from the early days of productions. Disney+ has opted to take a different approach for 2021's festivities, as several Star Wars fans have commissioned art pieces that will be appearing on the platform. With the galaxy's biggest holiday now upon us, with perhaps Life Day serving as the sole competition, the work of the fan community has finally been revealed.
NEW ART PRESENTS DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE STAR WARS STORY
Lucasfilm and Disney+ have revealed, via Star Wars Always, the fan art that will be featured on the streaming platform in honor of Star Wars Day.
The saga begins as new paths are forged in The Phantom Menace:
Turmoil engulfs the galaxy as a fateful romance develops in Attack of the Clones:
Tragedy and heartbreak unfold as friends become foes in Revenge of the Sith:
Faces new and old face-off during the galaxy's ultimate conflict in The Clone Wars:
A young scoundrel charts his new path in the galaxy in Solo:
A group of unlikely heroes come together to steal the Death Star plans in Rogue One:
Light emerges as destinies collide in A New Hope:
Frozen tundras, swamps, and a city in the clouds challenge the galaxy's greatest heroes in The Empire Strikes Back:
The ultimate battle for Darth Vader's soul concludes George Lucas' saga in Return of the Jedi:
A warrior and a child form a bond that creates a riveting journey in The Mandalorian:
Heroes new and old come together to face a deadly threat in The Force Awakens:
New bonds grow deeper as legends confront their pasts in The Last Jedi:
Somehow Palpatine returns and the light of the galaxy must unite to defeat evil once and for all in The Rise of Skywalker:
A LASTING LEGACY
Each of the fan commissioned art pieces are tremendous, and they do an exceptional job of reflecting the longstanding legacy Star Wars has since 1977.
All the artists brought their own unique, yet fitting styles to the table as they tackled their respective projects. The colors present in each of the posters are emblematic of the imagery and tones of the films and shows being honored, making it enticing to hop on Disney+ and watch everything at once.
The pieces for Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars, Return of the Jedi, and The Mandalorian are particular standouts, highlighting the key events and relationships that play out in the most compelling ways with characters like Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka, and Grogu. Ironically, The Rise of Skywalker's art may be the coolest, focusing on Palpatine, Rey, and Kylo Ren while using a mixture of fire and lightning as great contrasts that are both present in the imposing form of the Emperor.
Strangely, Rebels and the new series launching on Star Wars Day, The Bad Batch, were omitted from this year's festivities for unspecified reasons. While it's possible that Bad Batch was left out in order to avoid any potential spoilers for the series, leaving out a show with as much artistic potential as Rebels is a strange move.
Regardless, all the artists put forth incredible work — worthy of recognition in the Jedi Archives. This will be a day-long remembered.
