SALT LAKE CITY — It’s a galaxy far, far away, but that hasn’t stopped celebrities, filmmakers and musicians from stopping in for a short visit.
In celebration of May 4 — as in “May the 4th Be With You,” a popular fan-made "Star Wars" holiday — we researched some of the most notable cameos across the eight main "Star Wars" films, organized in release order.
While some of these appearances are established performers stepping into small roles, a few feature actors and filmmakers before they made it big.
'A New Hope'
Unsurprisingly, the original prequel didn’t feature many cameos. According to ScreenRant, “A New Hope” does include “Captain America” and “Jumanji” director Joe Johnston as a Death Star Trooper early in his career.
'The Empire Strikes Back'
Concept designer and illustrator Ralph McQuarrie can be seen carrying a sketchbook in “The Empire Strikes Back.” John Ratzenberger, who voices Hamm in Pixar’s Toy Story series, plays Major Derlin of the Rebel Alliance.
'Return of the Jedi'
Richard Marquand, the director of “Return of the Jedi”, appears in that movie as an AT-ST pilot during the battle of Endor. Robert Watts, a co-producer who worked on all three original Star Wars movies, is also seen with Marquand.
'The Phantom Menace'
According to Vulture, “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” features Keira Knightley as Sabé, a handmaiden and decoy for Natalie Portman’s Queen Amidala. Richard Armitage, who plays Thorin Oakenshield in the Hobbit trilogy, appears as a Naboo fighter pilot. “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Peter Serafinowicz voiced three lines as Darth Maul, who was portrayed by stuntman Ray Park.
“Whose Line is it Anyway?” comedian Greg Proops voiced Fode, the alien providing color-commentary for the podrace on Tatooine. Nathan Hamill, the son of Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill, also appears as a podrace spectator.
"Attack of the Clones"
In “Attack of the Clones,” Australian actress Rose Byrne appeared as one of Amidala’s handmaidens on Coruscant, and Joel Edgerton appears as a young Lars Owen, Luke Skywalker’s uncle. Edgerton would also reprise his role at the end of “Revenge of the Sith.”
George Lucas’ daughters, Katie and Amanda, appear as aliens in a club scene while his son, Jett, can be seen as a Jedi padawan. Marton Csokas, who plays Celeborn in the "Lord of the Rings" films, voices an alien named Poggle the Lesser, according to the Vulture. The Huffington Post also claims 'N Sync member Joey Fatone and his brother appear as Jedi in a few scenes, including the final battle on Geonosis.
'Revenge of the Sith
George Lucas himself appears as a blue alien in an opera scene in “Revenge of the Sith,” according to Vulture. Pablo Hidalgo, Lucasfilm’s lore master, can also be seen in the opera. Jeremy Bulloch, the original Boba Fett, plays Captain Colton, who saves Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda from Order 66 at the end of the film.
'The Force Awakens'
Several years later, the hype surrounding Star Wars’ return under Disney and director J.J. Abrams inspired a ton of cameos. Vanity Fair reports at least 24 celebrities performing small roles in “The Force Awakens,” including Ewan McGregor returning as the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Rey’s vision. This scene also features dialogue from Frank Oz’s Yoda and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, who appears at the end of the movie.
Comedians Bill Hader (“Saturday Night Live”) and Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”) also take turns voicing BB-8. Vanity Fair also noted that “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda was asked to create a new cantina song, which appears in the film.
Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher’s daughter, appears as a member of the Resistance, and the cast of Indonesian action film “The Raid” is in the film as members of the Kanjiklub gang, according to Vanity Fair.
Comedian Simon Pegg, who played Montgomery Scott in Abrams’ “Star Trek,” cameos as Unkar Plutt, the junkyard dealer on Jakku.
James Bond actor Daniel Craig plays a Stormtrooper Jedi mind-tricked by Daisy Ridley’s Rey, and music composer Michael Giacchino also appeared as stormtrooper FN-3181.
'The Last Jedi'
“The Last Jedi” toned it down with only 16 cameos, according to Insider. Actors Justin Theroux and Lily Cole appear together in the club on Canto Bight, and director Rian Johnson confirmed that Carrie Fisher’s French Bulldog, Gary, is featured in this scene. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a frequent collaborator with Johnson, also plays an alien named Slowen Lo outside the club.
Additionally, Mark Hamill’s children — Nathan, Griffin and Chelsea — show up alongside “Rogue One: a Star Wars Story” director Gareth Evans, who gave Johnson a cameo in the spinoff film.
It’s also worth noting a few cameos that didn’t make it into the film — actor Tom Hardy played a Stormtrooper in a scene alongside Prince Harry and Prince William, but their appearances were cut because of Hardy’s weird performance, according to the AV Club.
"Rise of Skywalker"
The next chance for fans to catch some Star Wars cameos will be in “Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.” The final movie in the current Star Wars saga comes to theaters on Dec. 20, according to the film’s trailer.