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'Star Wars' Logo Check out what the characters from "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." have been up to since the "Star Wars" series premiered in 1977. "Star Wars: Episode VII" is slated for a 2015 release. (AP)![star_wars_menance_poster]()
'Star Wars' Poster The epic film franchise, created by George Lucas, was released on May 25, 1977 and quickly turned into a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. The six "Star Wars" movies are the third largest grossing film series of all time, second only to the "James Bond" and "Harry Potter" movies. The movies have inspired many adaptations including books, tv series, video games and comic books. The six movies were nominated for 25 Academy Awards, and won 10 of them. (AP)![harrison ford then star wars]()
Harrison Ford: Then The handsome and dangerous Han Solo was introduced in the first movie in the franchise "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" in 1977. The audience fell in love with the bad boy and his interesting companion Chewbacca. Han Solo is a witty rebel with a soft spot for Princess Leia. Ford's biggest hit up to that point was Lucas' "American Graffiti." (AP)![Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart]()
Harrison Ford: Now Harrison Ford went on to become one of the most well known and beloved actors of all time, starring in classic films such as "Blade Runner," "The Fugitive" and "Air Force One". He is best known for his famous roles in "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones". Ford is currently married to Calista Flockhart.![Kenny_Baker_then]()
Kenny Baker: Then Baker was one of the only actors who were in all six 'Star Wars movies,' alongside his droid friend, C-3PO, played by Anthony Daniels. (Reuters)![Kenny_Baker_now_star_wars]()
Kenny Baker: Now In addition to 'Star Wars,' Baker was in several other films including 'Amadeus' and 'Time Bandits.' Baker is married and has two sons, and is a regular on the "Star Wars" convention circuit. (AP)![carrie fisher then star wars]()
Carrie Fisher: Then Fisher made her film debut in "Shampoo" along side Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn in 1975 but hit it big when she was cast as Princess Leia in the original "Star Wars". Fisher helped make Princess Leia, and her side buns, one of the most recognizable characters in movie history. (AP)![carrie_fisher_now]()
Carrie Fisher: Now While Fisher is best known for her role as Princess Leia she is also a novelist, screen writer and lecturer. She struggled with bipolar disorder and drug problems which she discusses in her autobiography "Wishful Drinking". After struggling with her weight in recent years, Fisher was able to lose a large amount of weight. In 2011, she worked as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig. (AP)![chewbacca]()
Peter Mayhew: Then The part of the beastly Chewbacca was originally going to David Prowse, but Mayhew, standing at 7' 3", was given the role, and Prowse was recast as Darth Vader. (AP)![peter_mayhew_now_star_wars_ap]()
Peter Mayhew: Now Mayhew was in six "Star Wars" movies and has reprised the role for various adaptations and appearances. (AP)![ewan_mcgregor_then_star_wars]()
Ewan McGregor: Then Ewan McGregor was an up-and-coming film star ("Trainspotting," "Little Voice") before he landed the role as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace." The role was made famous by Sir Alec Guinnes in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. (AP)![ewan_mcgregor_today]()
Ewan McGregor: Now McGregor has a had success outside the "Star Wars" series in both film and theater. He has received many nominations and awards for his various roles, most notably for his role as Christian in "Moulin Rouge!" in 2001. He has been married to Eve Mavrakis since 1995. They have four daughters. (AP)![natalie portman then star wars]()
Natalie Portman: Then Portman first hit the movie scene as an orphan in the 1994 film "Leon" but rose to stardom as the beautiful Padme Amidala in the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, which she began when she was only 16. (AP)![natalie_portman_now]()
Natalie Portman: Now Natalie Portman is now one of Hollywood's most in-demand actresses. She won an Academy Award in 2011 for Best Actress as disturbed Ballerina Nina in "Black Swan". She recently married ballet dancer Bejamin Millepied, whom she met on the set of "Black Swan". She gave birth to their son, Aleph, in June 2011. (AP)![hayden_christensen_then_star_wars]()
Hayden Christensen: Then Christensen performed a few minor roles before playing the infamous Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in "Star Wars Episode II" and "Star Wars Episode III". He beat out big names such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Phillipe for the dark role. (AP)![Hayden_Christensen_now_ret]()
Hayden Christensen: Now Although his portrayal as Anakin Skywalker was meet with mixed reviews, Christensen still remains very popular among certain audiences, perhaps because of his good looks. He has starred in a few other smaller films including "Takers" and "Jumper." He was once engaged to "Jumper" co-star Rachel Bilson, but the couple broke off the engagement in 2010. (Reuters)![darth_vader_star_wars_david_prowse]()
David Prowse: Then David Prowse is the British actor who made Darth Vader move around and swing things, although James Earl Jones provided the voice. Prowse was well known in Britain as an actor and body builder before "Star Wars." (AP)![david_prowse_ret_new]()
David Prowse: Now Prowse continued to act in various films and participate in conventions and appearances with other members of the "Star Wars" cast. Most recently he was in a small independent film, "The Kindness of Strangers," that screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Prowse is married with three kids and is an advocate for arthritis charities. (Reuters)![liam_nesson_then_star_wars]()
Liam Neeson: Then Neeson was a well known name before he was cast as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jim in "Star Wars Episode I." He had previously starred in hit films including "Schindler's List" and "Michael Collins." (AP)![Liam_Neeson_ret]()
Liam Neeson: Now Neeson has gone on to star in many films such as "Love Actually," "Taken" and "Batman Begins" since "Star Wars." The world was shocked when his wife, Natasha Richardson, died following a head injury she got skiing in 2009. They had two sons together, Michael and Daniel. Neeson continues to work in film and as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. (Reuters)![alec guiness then star wars]()
Alec Guinness: Then Guinness was an established theater and film actor by the time he was cast as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. He had previously received an Academy Award for his role in "The Bridge on the River Kwai". (AP)![alec_guiness_now]()
Alec Guinness: 1914-2000 Guiness received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for his depiction of the Jedi Master. He was married to Merula Salaman, and their son, Matthew Guinness, is also an actor. Guinness died from liver cancer while also suffering from glaucoma and prostate cancer at 86. (AP)![c3po star wars]()
Anthony Daniels: Then Daniels was the man inside the famous gold suit, and he also provided the voice for the robot. (AP)![anthony_daniels_now_star_wars]()
Anthony Daniels: Now Most recently, Daniels hosted the "Stars Wars: In Concert" tour. He is also a visiting scholar at Carnegie Mellon University. He and Kenny Baker, the man inside R2 D2, do not speak, as Baker has said Daniels was often rude to him at "Star Wars" events. (AP)![mark hamill then star wars]()
Mark Hamill: Then The role of Luke Skywalker changed Mark Hamill's life and skyrocketed him into stardom. He was honored twice as the Saturn Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the famous Jedi. (AP)![Mark_Hamill_now_ret]()
Mark Hamill: Now Besides "Star Wars," Hamill hasn't had much of a film career. He has, however, enjoyed success in theater and voice acting. Hamill is married to Marilou York and has three children. Cool Fact: One of his sons has a cameo as a guard in "Star Wars: Phantom Menace." (Reuters)![Billy_Dee_Williams_then]()
Billy Dee Williams: Then Before Star Wars, Billy Dee Williams played Gale Sayers in the TV Movie "Brian's Song," and acted opposite Diana Ross in the Billie Holliday bopic "Lady Sings the Blues." But Williams became instantly famous for his role as brave Lando Calrissian in "Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back" and "Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi." (Reuters)![Billy_Dee_Williams_Now_ret]()
Billy Dee Williams: Now "Star Wars" turned Williams into a sought after actor on television and in film. But for us, the most important thing it brought was Billy Dee's association with Colt 45 Malt Liquor, as it produced the smooth as silk tag line: "Works every time." Indeed. (Reuters)Then and Now: The Cast of 'Star Wars'
See what the stars from the most famous sci-fi movie ever are up to today!
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- Then and Now: The Cast of 'Star Wars'
