As I've mentioned previously, Science Fiction can range from different applications to technologies that probably could be real. Ever dreamed of becoming a trooper either a clone trooper or an imperial stormtrooper? Bounty Hunter or Smuggler? Or everyone's favorite dream of becoming a Jedi or being seduced of becoming a Sith?
Star Wars is loved by millions of fans worldwide, and even for me the moment when I watched the Prequel trilogy. What was known to be a work of fiction, now can be turned into a reality. We'll dive in deep into different groups who showed their devotion to the franchise, even inventions, and space explorations from a galaxy far, far away.
The 501st Legion & Rebel Legion
If you're familiar with cosplay (the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game), you would see them mostly in pop-culture conventions, also at charity events, and even in the middle of the crisis we face today.
The 501st Legion is based on the 501st Clone Battalion (also known as Vader's Fist), an elite stormtrooper legion under the command of Darth Vader . Originally, this legion of troopers is under the command of Anakin Skywalker (who would become a Sith Lord) and his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano as 2nd in command, along with Commander Rex as they fought against the Droid Army of the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars.
When Order 66 was initiated, obviously all members of the 501st knew their Commandant General, Anakin became Darth Vader the moment they attacked the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. In the real world, this is an international-based organization made of volunteers dedicated to the construction and wearing accurate replicas of Stormtroopers, Sith Lords, Clone Troopers, Bounty Hunters, and other villains from the Star Wars universe.
They were even featured on the live-action series The Mandalorian. For over 24 years, the Legion had thousands of active members along with approved costumes and around 6 continents in over 60 countries. Who said that bad guys can't be good? Aside from promoting the franchise, they also do charity work and in the spirit of volunteerism.
On the other side of the coin, we also have the Rebel Legion. Just like the 501st Legion, from events to charitable works, and the group is based on the Rebel Alliance. They also approve accurate replicas from the Jedi Order, the Galactic Republic, the New Republic, the Rebel Alliance, and the Resistance.
Simply known as the "Good Guys", you can portray anyone from being a Jedi Master, a Rebel Pilot, a Rebel Soldier, a Senator, or even the galaxy's favorite princess - Princess Leia. I would even see them around at conventions, and premieres in cinemas and would get a photo with them.
If you want to be part of this organization wearing your costume and engage with charity works & volunteer with your community, visit their official websites below.
Lightsaber
"An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age." - Obi-Wan Kenobi
In the movie, the weapon is powered by a kyber crystal and will emit from a metal hilt as a plasma blade that can be shut off at will. Both are used by the Jedi and their Sith counterparts. It can cut through from anything, from flesh to blast doors, block and deflect blaster bolts with precision and skill. Practitioners from both sides can use it as a single-blade, double-bladed, or in the form of a staff.
It has various forms of combat and different color variations. Blue and Green for the good guys, Red for the bad guys which are only shown in all trilogies, but throughout the universe there's more. I'll tell you more about it very soon. Lightsaber replicas have been a popular piece of the franchise. From chopsticks to the Force FX series, until YouTuber Hacksmith Industries (video below) created their Lightsaber and even got inducted to the Guinness World Records.
Now that is pure awesomeness, and beat that Disney! What If? You can learn the ways of the Jedi without Force-sensitive abilities, but all lessons are based on real-life martial arts? No need to worry about chopping your opponent's arm or legs, the replica is made of polycarbonate. It doesn't cut through any objects or block & deflect blaster bolts.
In Milan, Italy, 3 individuals combined their skills and created a new combat sport called LudoSport, resembling the lightsaber. These practitioners have spread throughout Europe to North America teaching the values of discipline, service, care, and respect from one another.
2 years ago, The French Fencing Federation declared that lightsaber dueling is now officially a real competitive sport, as they try to get engage with the youth's health issues instead of exercising with their thumbs. Fencing consists of 3 disciplines - foil, epee, and saber. With their fourth discipline, the lightsaber, practitioners can now channel their inner Jedi/Sith.
Hologram
Holograms played a vital role in the Star Wars universe, from the introduction of Darth Sidious to Darth Maul, the security holograms at the Jedi Temple, a call to action when Luke accidentally opened R2-D2's Hologram message from Princess Leia to Obi-Wan Kenobi until he played it again when he's exiled in Ahch-To, and the emotional father and daughter scene when Galen Erso's told the secrets of how to destroy the Death Star.
From real-time communications to represent maps and battle plans, inspired by the Dejarik (the Holo-Chess board game aboard the Millennium Falcon), Voxon Photonics created a volumetric display without even using other devices such as a 3D glass, but can easily navigate around the hologram with the use of a controller.
These are just a few things that came into life from my favorite movie franchise, but there are many more to mention from the big screen to the real world.
