3 Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina (Kind Of).

“You will kill Luke Skywalker!”

I don’t often geek out over Star Wars, but occasional I have something I want to say…… A little over thirty years ago Timothy Zahn blew my mind about what Star Wars could’ve been. A while ago now I unpacked two boxes of books and discovered I had put away for safekeeping a trilogy of novels set in the Star Wars universe published way back in the early 1990s under license and with the blessing of George Lucas. The novels I allude to are Timothy Zahn’s ‘The Thrawn Trilogy’. They consists of Heir To The Empire (1991), Dark Force Rising (1992) and The Last Command (1993). Still to this day, Zahn’s novels are the best Star Wars books I’ve ever read. They fit into what is referred to now as the “Expanded Universe” (Legends) timeline. I wish they had been considered for the basis for a new trilogy when Disney acquired the rights to Lucasfilm Ltd but unfortunately they went for a whole new direction beginning with Star Wars: A Force Awakens (2015). And while I would dearly love to read Zahn’s books again, I just don’t have the time. Despite that I think from the entire 3 book series but more specifically from the beginning with ‘Heir’, Mara Jade – the Emperors Hand was my favourite character. For those not familiar with Mara Jade, she’s out to seek revenge against Luke for The Emperor’s death.

The Original Plastic Wonder Toy.

You simply cannot underestimate the power of the Star Wars action figure. Collectors worldwide, mostly and sadly adult men, empty out aisle after aisle of toy stores just to get their hands on plastic ‘gold’. Often it’s “Hey kid get out of the way !” When I was 8 or 9 years of age, I discovered Star Wars (Who didn’t?) and fell in love with “a galaxy far, far away.” I, too, received as presents  Star Wars action figures for birthdays, Xmas and occasionally for no good reason at all. We could only afford to buy one or two figures every now and then. I appreciated what little I had and kept them safe for years. By the time I was 11 or 12, I put them away for safe keeping. In total I had around 50 action figures including the original 12. Years later as an adult (yes, here comes that sad adult male again), I rediscovered them lost in a shoe box and was determined to collect as many as possible that I could find. Tucked in another shoe box today I have around 90 original action figures that spanned the first trilogy movies. I don’t care much for what came after, and how Kenner and Lucas would capitalised on action figure market in the 1990s and beyond. My son is just as obsessed with Star Wars, though he collects Star Wars Lego minifigures instead. We both occasional troll flee markets and collectable stores. 

2010 Adidas x Star Wars Stormtrooper Zip Hoodie.

“I saw this Jedi costume, and I was so ecstatic I ran out of breath. At last I had an idea of who I was, how to carry myself, and I had a way of being.” – Samuel L. Jackson.

I get it Samuel. Many of us would cut off Luke Skywalker’s other hand to be an actor or extra on a Star Wars set. The fact that you have immortalised Mace Windu onscreen and had also demanded a signature purple lightsaber from George Lucas, definitely makes you cool as, well… fuck! By the way, I’m not jealous. Maybe a little. Anyway, long before Jackson kicked up a fuss, fans began showing up at theatres dressed up as their favourite Star Wars characters immediately following the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. Today, Star Wars cosplay is a mind-boggling, mutli-million-dollar global phenomenon. Massive fan conventions like Star Wars Celebration and iconic charity, volunteer organisations like the 501st Legion give joy to movie fans, sick kids etc., all around the world. Let’s face it, cosplay (a Japanese portmanteau of “costume” and “play” coined by film director Nobuyuki Takahashi in 1983) allows people to form community connections, work on their confidence and self-expression. Now, I bet you thought I was going to admit I love cosplay. I do, from afar. The closest I get to dressing up as a Star Wars character is by wearing my classic three-stripe sleeved, black coloured Adidas Star Wars Stormtrooper Zip Hoodie. In truth, I have only worn it on a handful of occasions. I can’t tell you how many times people have stopped me and commented how cool it is. Maybe even cooler than Samuel L. Jackson? It’s one of those rare collectible pieces from Adidas Originals that I’m proud of. And maybe my Boba Fett helmet. Shhh!