For fans of science fiction, today is Star Wars Day picked because of the iconic slogan "May the Force be with you." The entire franchise is the brainchild of writer and director George Lucas.
While many voice actors have appeared in the films, series, and video games, Marvel fans would most recognize actor Mark Hamill who played main hero Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy and reprised his role for the new sequel trilogy, Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala in the prequel trilogy, Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu in the prequel trilogy, Lucas himself as Baron Papanoida in Revenge of the Sith, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron in the sequel trilogy, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke in the sequel trilogy, Alan Tudyk as K-2SO in Rogue One, Benicio Del Toro as DJ in The Last Jedi, Matt Lanter as the voice Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars and Rebels, and Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze in The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Mandalorian series. Jon Favreau serves as creator, executive producer, and director of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
The overwhelming success of the franchise has had an effect on Marvel's animated work. Spider-Woman featured numerous visuals directly lifted from the original film. Doctor Doom was made into the most significant antagonist on Spider-Man due to the visual similarities between Victor and Darth Vader, with rumors persisting that Lucas was inspired by the Marvel villain to create his. The movies were alluded to in the Iron Man episode "Rejoice! I Am Ultimo, Thy Deliverer". The movies were directly referenced in the X-Men: Evolution episode "Spykecam".
In 2012, Lucasfilm and all the Star Wars rights joined Marvel Entertainment under the banner of The Walt Disney Company, and Marvel Comics once again began publishing their comics.
