It's 1999. A Star Wars film hasn't released since 1983. This films is the first of three telling the tragic story of how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. You know these films will contain the backstory of not only that, but the fall of the Jedi Order and the Republic, as well as the rise of the Empire. This film has Yoda and a Young Obi Wan, as well as Liam Neeson and Samuel L. Jackson playing Jedi. Podracing looked awesome, that Jar Jar character looked hil-a-rious, Yoda was back, there's space combat, a mysterious sith who looks like the devil with a DUAL BLADED LIGHTSABER. This movie looked incredible to me at age 9. Finally, a Star Wars film during my lifetime.
Star Wars was everywhere you look, from commercials, to toys, to general merchandise, to fast food. It was on everything. Even your Pepsi Can that you couldn't help but want to collect. The Star Wars thirst was real. To this day, I don't think the marketing has hit that level again.
It's 2015. Announced in 2014, The Force Awakens was actually happening. The Skywalker Saga was continuing! The original cast was returning!! Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, C-3P0 and R2-D2. There's new main characters, Rey, Finn and Poe. The Millennium Falcon was back. The Empire has become The First Order. The trailers had that vintage Star Wars look and feel, yet felt new and fresh.
I was 25 years old, and the trailers for this film had me in tears of pure joy. I still get emotional when I watch this one. Those lines from Luke really hit me right in the feels, every time.
If I had to choose, I'd say The Force Awakens had the most hype, from a certain point of view. Bringing back the original cast was the key to this. Seeing Luke's story continue was the most intriguing aspect at the time, and I desperately wanted to see Rey wield a lightsaber and use the force. I was certain that Rey was the daughter of Luke. Haha. Finn also looked super interesting as a rogue Stormtrooper. Poe Dameron looked like a character who would ooze charisma. Kylo looked quite menacing.
What do you think, Era?