CHICAGO-A few days ago in a galaxy not so far away, an estimated 65,000 "Star Wars" fans from across the globe quested their way to the biggest convention center in the United States. Their mission: to be one with the Force that has fueled the multibillion-dollar franchise since 1977.
Featuring star-studded panels, sneak peeks, celebrity signings and cosplay meet-ups, Star Wars Celebration is a uniquely immersive experience for fans of the now Disney-owned space opera franchise that George Lucas created 42 years ago.
Opening a direct channel to the hearts, minds and pocketbooks of their core audience, the convention for all things "Star Wars" is also one of Disney's savviest marketing undertakings as the studio eyes lucrative brand expansions and a move into Netflix-dominated streaming territory this fall.
During Friday's centerpiece panel highlighting the December release of saga-ending "Star Wars: Episode IX-The Rise of Skywalker," Wintrust Arena's 7,000 fans rose to their feet in a standing ovation for actress Kelly Marie Tran, who became visibly emotional at the gesture.
It was a palpable display of support for Tran nearly a year after online harassers chased her off social media following the release of "The Last Jedi," which introduced her Resistance heroine Rose Tico.
Then there's the commercial flip side of Star Wars Celebration, where unabashed brand synergy can test the patience of the cynically minded.
Saturday on the very same stage, cheers met the announcement that Coca-Cola has been officially written into the "Star Wars" canon, its logo "translated" into the fictional language of Aurebesh for the Galaxy's Edge attraction opening this May at Disney parks in California and Florida.
First held in 1999 in Denver ahead of the release of "Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace," Star Wars Celebration has been staged over a dozen times since in the U.S., Europe and Japan.
Inclusiveness
"That's the cool thing," he said. "With the 501st it's got to be screen accurate, but we don't care who's in it. Kids don't see the differences like adults do. They just see, 'That's Darth Vader. That's Rey!' And we love it."
If toxic fans are present at Star Wars Celebration, they're not wearing their sentiments on their sleeves. Among the many female Kylo Rens, inclusive Jedis, and mash-up cosplayers were fans in Celebration-exclusive T-shirts emblazoned with a simple, powerful message: "Star Wars is for everyone."
"I think it's very easy to be a troublemaker when no one can see your face," said Border. "I think it's all about people hiding behind their screens."
Toxic fandom "is definitely an online thing," added Villarreal. "And it's kind of gotten out of control. I think people need to remember that ['Star Wars'] is something that brings people joy."
Disney and Lucasfilm are banking on sustained fan hunger for "Star Wars," and whether or not "Star Wars fatigue" will curb that appetite will become clearer as the franchise further swells with the November launch of spinoff series "The Mandalorian" on new streaming platform Disney+.
That Global Reach
To date, "Star Wars" has been translated into more than 50 languages; according to Disney, this year's Celebration welcomed attendees from all 50 U.S. states and more than 54 countries.
Clad in jeans and a T-shirt and casually carrying a lightsaber as he walked into his first Celebration was 14-year-old "Star Wars" fan Carlos Rio, who traveled from Mexico with his parents and 9-year-old sister, Tania, as she sported Carrie Fisher's classic "Episode IV" dress and buns, to attend the convention.
"I'm kind of obsessed with 'Star Wars,'" he said. "It's meant a lot to me since I was a kid. I just love it. I think it's because of the story, the characters-all things 'Star Wars.' My favorite movie is 'The Revenge of the Sith,' and I really like the prequels."
Brand-synergy galore greeted fans the moment they walked onto the exhibition floor, where Amazon.com hawked "Star Wars"-licensed merchandise and the Geico lizard peered out at fans from its own booth, as an official sponsor of the "Star Wars" stage.