NOTES ON A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY
A newsletter about the Star Wars Universe and related places of interest

We celebrate both International Star Wars Day (“May the Fourth Be with You”) and Eid al-Fitr by looking forward to Obi-Wan Kenobi and reflecting on what NYU Abu Dhabi has meant to us.



On Valentine’s Day, we remember a romance from the old Expanded Universe, now the Star Wars Legends. Plus Amrita Anand on love among the Rebels; Isabel Ríos on one fan’s Jedi-themed engagement video; and Lucas Gomez-Doyle’s reflection on watching Star Wars with his father.

For the Lunar New Year, we have water tigers, rancors, Darth Vader, and warrior cultures.

On MLK Day, we’re thinking about how the cantina scene evokes the Civil Rights Movement in the US, and what that means for the Star Wars universe.

The Book of Boba Fett brings together two Hollywood genres, the Western and the gangster film. Bhrigu Bhatra tells us how thinking about holidays has affected his thinking about Star Wars.

It’s Christmas, but more importantly … four days until the premiere of The Book of Boba Fett. Latest commercial; first appearance in 1978; and a history courtesy of The New York Times.

Celebrating 50th anniversaries: the United Arab Emirates and Lucasfilm. Plus, a few words from visionary director and graphic novelist Alejandro Jodorowskui.

Celebrating US Thanksgiving with some thoughts on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Jamie Uy tells us why isn’t okay to eat roast porg, and Amrita Anand discusses the seventh episode of Star Wars Ronin, “The Elder.”

Celebrating 50th anniversaries: the United Arab Emirates and Lucasfilm. Plus, a few words from visionary director and graphic novelist Alejandro Jodorowskui.

Lucasfilm on the New Books Network; Skeptics in the Pub Online; global texts; and Star Wars Ronin.

John Lennon’s birthday; interview with The Way Podcast; and a preview of Star Wars: Terrifying Tales, the new Halloween holiday special on Disney+.

Bastille Day: a somber connection to Rogue One. Star Wars and Buddhism. Plus, Jamie Uy on the Star Wars Identities exhibition in Singapore.

The Jedi and the Luddites: thinking about Star Wars and technophobia. Plus, Jamie Uy on the history of the dianoga from 1977 to now.

Star Wars and Aristotle: reversal and recognition and the tragic arc of Anakin Skywalker. Plus, Father’s Day reading.

Back cover blurbs. Plus, Bhrigu Bhatra on on droid rights; Daniel Lee on Star Wars in Korea; and Jamie Uy on Star Wars in China.

Announcing Lucasfilm: FIlmmaking, Philosophy, and the Star Wars Universe, forthcoming in August. Thoughts on the idea of the shared universe. Plus, Isabel Ríos on Star Wars musical parodies, and Harper Cho on Filipino Star Wars fans.