Star Wars Day: Force yourself

Sunday the 4th of May is the day to say “May the Force be with you” to all, and celebrate the Star Wars story. As the day arrives, new experiences are available for fans to catch up on the very latest Star Wars content.

Say “May the 4th Be With You” out loud and you’ll hear the pun that Star Wars fans worldwide have turned into a rallying cry to proclaim their love of the saga. Sunday the 4th of May is the day to say “May the Force be with you” to all, and celebrate the beloved Star Wars story that binds our galaxy together. South African fans have already begun showing their support, including a side-splitting video courtesy of top local comedienne and (S)talk Show host Anne Hirsch, whose #Maythe4thbewithyou video is already an internet hit.

Now, as the big day arrives, a slew of new experiences are now available for fans – young and old alike – to catch up on the very latest Star Wars content.

Facebook: Star Wars Africa

Local Facebook users can join in the global conversation as the Star Wars Africa page is now live. With the very latest breaking news, insights into the galaxy far, far away, as well as connecting with like-minded fans the world over, www.facebook.com/StarWarsAfrica is the central hub for everything around the epic Star Wars film saga and more.

New App: Star Wars Journeys

Keeping on the digital front, Disney Publishing Worldwide has just released the first of a series of Star Wars Journeys – a brand new app for iOS where fans can delve deep into each movie. With Episode 1: The Phantom Menace just released, the app allows users to explore into over 20 key scenes from the film, retold using interactive art and activities – it’s the ultimate immersive experience into each film, characters, locations, vehicles and more, presented in the most breath-taking and exciting format. The Star Wars Journeys will continue to release over this year including the remaining films as well as the TV series. See the trailer here.

Master the Force

In addition to the new Facebook page, fans from the African continent can now access a brand new Star Wars website: www.disney.co.za/starwars. Entitled Master the Force, this is the one-stop point for kids, teens and fans to embark on a journey to learn, engage and celebrate all that Star Wars offers. With incredible graphics, informative character and tech breakdowns, videos from the films as well as the exclusive Master the Force Game, there is something for everyone.

Star Wars Rebels (Disney XD, DSTV Channel 304)

The rebellion begins this Sunday. The trailer for the upcoming animated series Star Wars Rebels will premiere in a global, multiplatform takeover on May the 4th. The trailer will debut on Disney XD and Disney Channels in countries spanning across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Australia reaching approximately 100 million households in over 50 countries, across six continents and over 20 time zones.

On Sunday, May 4 (12:01 a.m., PT), the trailer will be available across multiple sites including www.StarWars.com, www.ABC.com, www.ESPN.com, www.Disney.com as well as www.Disney.co.za.

Star Wars Rebels continues the epic tradition of the legendary Star Wars saga with all-new exciting, action-packed adventures. It is a dark time in the galaxy, as the evil Galactic Empire tightens its grip of power from world to world. As the series begins, Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet, ruling with an iron fist and ruining the lives of its people. The clever and motley crew of the starship Ghost is amongst a select few who are brave enough to stand against the Empire. Together, this ragtag group will face threatening new villains, encounter colourful adversaries, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.

Scheduled to premiere in this spring as a one-hour special telecast on Disney XD (DSTV, Channel 304) and Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303), it will be followed by a series on Disney XD channels around the world.

Star Wars: Episode VII

The Star Wars team this week announced the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film. Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.” Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

Don’t forget to visit Makro stores this weekend and visit their Star Wars promotional stands to get your hands on the very latest and greatest Star Wars merchandise, as well as chances to win some incredible prizes and hampers.

With much more information coming and all of the above available, the force is certainly strong with us.

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