May The Fourth Be With You day is here and Star Wars fans across the globe are rejoicing for what will be a momentous annual event.
The tradition which originated from a clever pun now proves to be an an opportune day for droids alike to bag themselves memorabilia while binge streaming movies and television shows.
Many fans will know that the day itself derived from the popular and iconic phrase from the film, “May the force be with you,” spoken by the Jedi masters.
According to Lucasfilm, the slogan was originally used on the fourth of July in 1978 when the following year May 4 became the unofficial holiday.
In celebration with the biggest day of the year across galaxies far and wide, Daily Star is taking a look back at some of the many actors and actress who found fame and fortune from the franchise.
Mark Hamill
(Image: Getty Images)
Mark could have easily been the face of Star Wars after he played the iconic role of Luke Sykwalker over the years, going on to win three Saturn Awards for his contribution to the epic film.
Although Mark did go on to have a successful on-screen career his attentions turned more so to voice acting, landing jobs in film, video games and animated television series – including the voice of Joker in many Batman movies.
Since the original Star Wars trilogy, Mark was asked to return to reprise his role in the follow up sequel.
Following Mark’s success in the limelight he now has an estimated net worth of around £14million ($18M).
Ewan McGregor
(Image: Lucas Film)
Ewan McGregor played the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first of the Star Wars prequel trilogy Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
In 2002, he returned to the role once more for Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005).
In a recent interview, Ewan confirmed that he would be up for reprising the role once more if Disney had an opportunity for him.
Speaking to Total Film, he said: “If we were to get an opportunity to do it again, I’d be totally up for that.”
He joked: “Here I go again, it’s like me knocking at Disney’s door again!”
Star Wars isn’t his only success, with the prolific actor playing Carmerlengo Father Patrick McKenna in Angels and Demons and Mark Renton in Trainspotting.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, McGregor is worth a whopping £20m, but would’ve lost some of his fortune amidst his divorce from Eve Mavrakis in 2019.
It was reported that Mavrakis would be given half of all the money McGregor earned from his work prior to their official split in 2017, including the earnings from four Star Wars films.
However, he was allowed to keep 30 vehicles from his impressive car collection.
Keira Knightley
(Image: Getty Images for BFI)
That’s right Keira Knightley did find fame in the first instalment of the prequel trilogy at the age of just 12.
She played a handmaiden called Sabe who acted as a decoy for Queen Padme Amidala.
Sabe became one of Queen Amidala’s most trusty handmaidens as she was able to quickly switch roles with her when needed.
It is thought that the two girls looked so much alike when in full make-up that even their own mothers had difficulty telling one another apart.
The young starlet went on to achieve international fame when she starred next to Johnny Depp as Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and numerous other films where she received acclaim for her incredible talent.
While Star Wars was not a massive earning opportunity for Keira, it certainly was a stepping stone in her very lucrative career and because of that she is still one of the richest actresses to have appeared in the films – with a huge £48 million fortune ($60M).
Tom Hardy
(Image: Getty Images)
Avid fans will know that Tom Hardy did in fact have a short but swift cameo appearance in the Last Jedi.
While his stint was shown on the Blu-ray version only it was removed from all other platforms.
The English-born model, screenwriter, producer and actor has endured many successes on the big screen such as Mad Max: Fury Road, playing both Kray twins in Legend and Bane in Dunkirk.
He is now claimed to be worth a whopping £24 million ($30M).
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman rocketed to fame after she’d landed the role of Queen Padme Amidala in Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999).
This was a huge opportunity for Natalie to shine next of some of Hollywood’s greatest actors – including Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson.
Portman reprised her role as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
She has since gone on to achieve many accolades including Academy Award, British Academy Film Award and two Golden Globe Awards for roles such as the troubled ballerina in Black Swan.
The actress is now estimated to have an income of £64million (80M).
Liam Neeson OBE
(Image: All Action)
What would have Obi-Wan Kenobi done without his trusty mentor Liam Neeson in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
When looking at casting options, the Irish actor was selected after George Lucas had decided he wanted a strong actor to step up to inspire others – and that’s exactly what he got when he landed Neeson.
For his character of Qui-Gon Jinn, Neeson received a Saturn Award nomination.
Neeson didn’t return to reprise his role but did take on the voice over work for his character in the television series.
The multi-award winning star has also received global accreditation for his work in thrillers such as Taken and Schindler’s List.
It is estimated that Neeson has a personal fortune of £120 million ($150M).
Samuel L. Jackson
(Image: Lucas Films)
Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most popular and highest-grossing actors on the planet.
Jackson was cast as Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
His character was a Jedi Master and member of the High Council during the final years of the Galactic Republic.
In the film, Windu wields a purple-bladed lightsaber which was alleged to have been a special request by the actor himself.
It is believed that Jackson asked for a unique colour in the epic battle scene.
According to CinemaBlend, he also had “BMF” inscribed on the handle which was short for Bad Mother-F****er – a nod to his former Pulp Fiction character.
He appeared in Episode I, II and II of The Phantom Menace, and later reprised his role in the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Samuel L. Jackson is reported to boast a staggering net worth of £200 million ($250M).
Harrison Ford
(Image: PA)
Harrison Ford is the wealthiest actor to have landed a role in Star Wars and easily became one of the most famous too.
Some might call it ironic that Ford almost didn’t make the audition list to play the role of Hans Solo in 1977.
At the time, George Lucas wanted to work with actors he’d not teamed up with in the past.
As Ford had worked with George on the film American Graffiti, he merely asked him to attend the audition phases to read lines with the other actors – not intending to cast him for the role.
However, Ford blew George away with his talent and all other actors were then given the boot.
It’s impossible to imagine that any other actor could have possibly told Leia “I know”.
Though Ford was paid just £10,000 for his work at the time, which would be a £40,000 in 2022.
However, he stuck with the role and went on to make millions as a result of his and also for his work in other films like – Indiana Jones, Witness and The Fugitive, along with reprising his beloved Hans Solo role over the next 42 years.
Ford is now estimated to be worth around £240 million ($300M).
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
