Star Wars is a space opera franchise launched in 1977 with the Star Wars film, later known as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. While set "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away", many of the locations are real-world places, some of them open to visitors.
Spoiler alert! This article reveals plot details.
The core of the Star Wars franchise is the nine films of the Skywalker Saga; The original trilogy (episodes IV-VI, released 1977-1983), the prequel trilogy (I-III, released 1999-2005), and the sequel trilogy (VII-IX, released 2015-19).
The prequels depict Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker's forbidden love story with Queen Padmé Amidala, and his transformation to evil Sith lord Darth Vader, parallel to the Galactic Republic's corruption and transformation to the Galactic Empire.
An intermediate film, Rogue One, tells the story of how the rebels stole the plans for the Empire's deadly new weapon, the Death Star.
The original trilogy depicts young Luke Skywalker's journey to become a Jedi knight, leading the Rebel Alliance's struggle against the Galactic Empire.
The sequel trilogy is showing the continuing struggle between the Rebels and the successor of the defeated Empire, the First Order.
Within the fan community, the films are usually referred to by their Roman number; e.g. "I" for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Spin-off works have their own notation, such as R1 for Star Wars: Rogue One.
The franchise also includes several anthology films, television series, novels, video games, action figures and other material.
The fourth of May is known as Star Wars Day as many fans say the phrase "May the 4th be with you".
The original "Star Tours" shut down in 2010, however attractions known as "Star Tours – The Adventures Continue" opened in four locations the year after:
Matmata, 33.5426°, 9.966°. Scenes of the desert planet Tatooine in a number of Star Wars films were filmed here. Also see the nearby town of Tataouine, where a little filming was also done.
Death Valley National Park, 36.45°, -117.09°. Some Tatooine scenes in IV.
Canary Wharf, 51.5035°, -0.0190°. The tube station was used in Rogue One as the Imperial security complex on Scarif.
Laamu Atoll, 1.933°, 73.416°. The tropical setting of the planet Scarif in Rogue One.