Star Wars by the Numbers: Fun Facts and Figures
Summary
In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of Star Wars by the numbers. From the number of lightsaber battles and severed hands to the amount of money earned by the franchise, we explore interesting facts and figures that will delight any Star Wars fan.
Table of Contents
- Lightsaber Battles and Severed Hands
- Stormtrooper Kills
- Character Names
- Religion and Money
- Actor Salaries
- Star Wars Collectibles
- Star Wars in Space
- The Star Wars Universe Today
Lightsaber Battles and Severed Hands
In the first six Star Wars films, there were only 11 lightsaber battles, but these battles resulted in nine severed hands. This is a testament to the intense and often violent nature of the Jedi-Sith conflict.
Stormtrooper Kills
Contrary to popular belief, stormtroopers were not very effective at killing in the first three Star Wars movies. They only scored 58 visible kills, and in the first film, they only hit a main character once with a stun blast.
Character Names
Despite the low body count of Darth Vader, the character remains incredibly popular. In 1977, 29 babies in the US were named Darth. In 2012, 218 babies were named Anakin, 605 were named Leia, and a whopping 10,431 were named Luke.
Religion and Money
In 2001, 176,632 census responders in the UK reported their religion as Jedi. This phenomenon highlights the cultural impact of Star Wars. Moreover, the franchise has brought in over $37 billion in revenue. More than 200 million Star Wars Lego sets were sold from 1999 to 2015, and Hasbro sold $5.5 billion worth of action figures.
Actor Salaries
Harrison Ford was paid only $10,000 for his role in the first Star Wars film, but he is now worth $210 million. Meanwhile, George Lucas was paid $175,000 for the same film, but he is now worth $5.2 billion.
Star Wars Collectibles
Star Wars collectibles are so popular that they are even accepted as currency in Nu, a tiny island nation in the Pacific.
Star Wars in Space
In 2007, NASA sent a lightsaber from the Star Wars movies into space, bringing it slightly closer to a galaxy far, far away.
The Star Wars Universe Today
The Star Wars franchise has come a long way since the release of the first film in 1977. While A New Hope was released in only 43 theaters, The Force Awakens was predicted to open in more than 5,500 theaters and over 10,000 screens. The film is projected to gross anywhere from $1.2 billion to $3 billion in ticket sales alone. Clearly, the Force is still strong with this one.
Conclusion
Star Wars has captured the hearts and minds of fans all over the world, and the franchise continues to be a cultural phenomenon. From its iconic lightsaber battles to its memorable characters, Star Wars has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As we look forward to the future of the franchise, we can only imagine what exciting new facts and figures await us.
