Star Wars is a more potent force now that it was when the first movie exploded onto the scene 30 years ago. Star Wars merchandise last year accounted for $1.5 billion in retail sales, a small fraction of the $22 billion the franchise has generated since the first movie premiered. And the masterfully created marketing events surrounding the anniversary demonstrate that Lucasfilms is very capable of continuing the popularity of the brand even without any new feature films. [ICV2]

LOU: It’s supply and demand. We keep asking for it, so George Lucas keeps giving it to us. SNAKE: I never once asked George Lucas rape my childhood or to take a dump on my brain, yet he’s been doin’ it fer a decade now! And did YOU ask fer Jar Jar?! I don’t think so. Go digitize American Graffiti n’ leave my Wookies alone, you sonuvabitch!

BOMB QUEEN: Now ask yourself, where would that lame ass movie be without Darth Vadar? Y’see…. it’s the villain that brings ‘em back.