TRANSMISSIONS FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR, AWAY: EPISODE I
This is the first column in a weekly series from The Rock Father James Zahn. Check back Fridays for the latest in what’s happening in the galaxy far, far away.
There have been some rumblings about the production of Lucasfilm’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, but one thing you may not have heard about is Chewbacca’s on-set behavior. Turns out, the mighty Wookiee from Kashyyyk might have a bit of an attitude problem at times, to the point of being called “diva” by some members of the cast. It’s not all bad, though, and with that in mind, Lucasfilm and Disney are transforming their Star Wars: Force for Change initiative into Roar for Change, a new global challenge in support of UNICEF.
“Chewbacca may not always have the best temperament, but beneath the gruff exterior is a heart of gold,” says director Ron Howard in the launch video below. “That’s why he’s challenging you to Roar for Change.”
Roar For Change invites fans and families to share their own version of Chewbacca’s iconic Wookiee roar. For each public post, like, or share on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter that includes #RoarForChange between May 3 – 25, 2018, Star Wars: Force for Change U.S. will donate $1 to UNICEF USA, up to $1 million. Funds will be used to support UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children around the world.
It doesn’t matter how you do it! You can break out your best Chewbacca impersonation, don one of Hasbro’s voice-changing electronic Chewbacca masks, or create a Dubsmash using one of Chewbacca’s best-known roars from the Star Wars saga, many of which will be hosted on the app’s homepage for the duration of the campaign.
Since its launch in 2014, Star Wars: Force for Change has raised more than $16 million for charitable causes around the world. On behalf of Star Wars: Force for Change, funds unlocked through this campaign will help UNICEF to provide Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Food packets to children suffering from malnutrition, helping them to have a chance at a brighter future.
Additionally, other partners from across the Star Wars galaxy have joined forces to celebrate the initiative. Hasbro and Funko have each met the challenge to Roar for Change and created celebratory videos to help unlock the donation to UNICEF, while LEGO unveiled plans to give fans a chance to ride alongside Chewie himself in a specially-designed pedicab.
During my recent visit to Los Angeles for the premiere of Avengers: Infinity War, I stopped by Disney Consumer Products & Interactive to help kick-off the Roar for Change myself. I’m actually in the picture above, see if you can spot me!
Solo: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters everywhere, May 25, 2018.
