Simply put, “Star Wars” — also now known as “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” — is one of the most iconic movies ever made. George Lucas’ epic space opera — now the fourth chronological chapter of the “Skywalker Saga” — blew cinema audiences away when it was released, with a swashbuckling fantasy adventure that looked beautiful.
The film follows a resistance movement, called the Rebel Alliance, in a fictional galaxy. The intention of the resistance is to destroy the ultimate weapon, the Death Star, which belongs to the evil Empire.
“Star Wars” stars an iconic cast that includes the likes of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Alec Guinness, to name but a few.
It hit theaters on May 25, 1977, meaning it’s currently one year shy of its 50th birthday (seriously, can you believe that?). Let’s take a look at how the cast of the movie are looking now, compared to how they looked back then…
Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Mark Hamill on the set of “Star Wars.”
A then relatively unknown Mark Hamill played Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars.” Luke is a young farm boy from Tatooine who dreams of something bigger and discovers his destiny as a Jedi.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 25.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: Wizards (1977).
GettyAge now: 74.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Corvette Summer (1978), The Big Red One (1980), Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Harrison Ford (Han Solo)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Harrison Ford in “Star Wars.”
Academy Award-nominated cultural icon Harrison Ford played Han Solo in “Star Wars.” Han is a cocky space smuggler and the pilot of the iconic Millennium Falcon.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 34.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: Getting Straight (1970), American Graffiti (1973), The Conversation (1974).
GettyAge now: 83.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Blade Runner (1982), Air Force One (1997).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa)
Above is a social media post with three pictures of Carrie Fisher in 1977.
Actress and writer Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia Organa in “Star Wars.” Leia is a princess of the planet Alderaan, a member of the Imperial Senate, and a leader of the Rebel Alliance who possesses the Death Star plans.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 20.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: Shampoo (1975).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2016 aged 60.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The ‘Burbs (1989), When Harry Met Sally… (1989).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Peter Cushing in “Star Wars.”
Veteran English actor Peter Cushing played Grand Moff Tarkin in “Star Wars.” Tarkin is the high-ranking Imperial officer commanding the Death Star.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 64.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dracula (1958), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959).
Age now: Sadly passed away in 1994 aged 81.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Arabian Adventure (1979), House of the Long Shadows (1983), Biggles: Adventures in Time (1986).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi)
GettyAcademy Award-winning British actor Alec Guinness played Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi in “Star Wars.” Obi-Wan is the wise, aging Jedi Master who mentors Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 63.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Alec Guinness in “Return of the Jedi” (1983).
Age now: Sadly passed away in 2000 aged 86.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Raise the Titanic (1980), A Passage to India (1984), Little Dorrit (1987).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Anthony Daniels on the set of “Star Wars.”
English actor and mime artist Anthony Daniels played C-3PO in “Star Wars.” C-3PO is a protocol droid who is fluent in over six million forms of communication.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 31.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: N/A.
GettyAge now: 79.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: The Lord of the Rings (1978), I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle (1990), The Lego Movie (2014).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Kenny Baker (R2-D2)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Kenny Baker on the set of “Star Wars.”
English actor, comedian, and musician Kenny Baker played R2-D2 in “Star Wars.” R2-D2 is a resourceful astromech droid carrying the secret Death Star schematics.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 42.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: Circus of Horrors (1960).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2016 aged 81.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Flash Gordon (1980), The Elephant Man (1980), U.F.O. (1993).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
GettyBritish-American actor Peter Mayhew played Chewbacca in “Star Wars.” Chewbacca is Han Solo’s loyal Wookiee co-pilot and best friend, as well as a fierce fighter.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 33.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: N/A.
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2019 aged 74.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Terror (1978), Comic Book: The Movie (2004), Yesterday Was a Lie (2008).
Filmography info per IMDb.
David Prowse (Darth Vader)
GettyEnglish actor, bodybuilder, strongman, and weightlifter David Prowse played Darth Vader in “Star Wars.” Darth Vader is Obi-Wan Kenobi’s former Jedi apprentice who fell to the dark side of the Force, ultimately becoming a Sith Lord and enforcer of the Empire.
Age when “Star Wars” released: 41.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: The Horror of Frankenstein (1970), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Vampire Circus (1972).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2020 aged 85.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: The People That Time Forgot (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983).
Filmography info per IMDb.
James Earl Jones (Darth Vader’s Voice)
GettyThe legendary Academy Award-nominated actor James Earl Jones provided the voice of Darth Vader in “Star Wars.”
Age when “Star Wars” released: 46.
Selected movie credits before “Star Wars”: The Great White Hope (1968), The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976), The Greatest (1977).
GettyAge now: Sadly passed away in 2024 aged 93.
Selected movie credits after “Star Wars”: Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989).
Filmography info per IMDb.
“Star Wars” is one of the most influential movies ever made. It spawned a franchise that includes two more movies in the original trilogy, a prequel trilogy, and a sequel trilogy, in addition to two standalone films and various television series.
There are also video games, books, comics, toys, and countless other “Star Wars” merchandise examples. As the first film’s 50th anniversary approaches, we eagerly await future installments that further expand the “Star Wars” universe.
May Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, and James Earl Jones rest in eternal peace.
