This post was originally published by In A Far Away Galaxy.
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How many times has “May the Force be with you” been said in Star Wars?
It all starts of course with A New Hope.
The line is first said by General Dodonna to his brave Rebel troops just before the Battle of Yavin.
Han Solo then somewhat surprisingly says it to Luke shortly after before he flies off to tackle the Death Star. Given Han had questioned the value of ‘hokey religion’, he used it as a sign of friendship and genuine goodwill to Luke.
In George Lucas’s first draft of Star Wars, the concept of the Force was not fully formed, a character that never made it into the final version of the film called King Kayos, said the blessing “May the Force of Others be with you all”.
There was a lengthy development of the concept before it became what we know it to be today.
Amusingly, Obi-Wan Kenobi is sometimes credited with using the phrase first but here are the quotes for when he uses it:
“The Force will be with you… always.”
“Luke, the Force will be with you.”
“Use the Force, Luke.”
“Remember, the Force will be with you always.”
There are plenty of other phrases when the force is used too.
But what is it based on?
“May the Force be with you” is used 16 times in the 7 movies.
“May the Force be with us” is spoken twice and “The Force will be with you” is also used twice.
A New Hope
General Dodonna say it to his troops and Han Solo says it to Luke just before the Battle of Yavin
Number of times = 2
The Empire Strikes Back
When Luke is speaking with Lando and Chewie, he says “Chewie, I’ll be waiting for your signal. Take care, you two. May the force be with you.”
Number of times = 1
Return of the Jedi
It is not said in Jedi. Admiral Ackbar says before the Battle of Endor, “May the Force be with us”
The Phantom Menace
Qui-gon Jin says it to young Anakin just before the pod race starts.
Mace Windu and Yoda exchange this pleasantry between them. Yoda says it another time.
Number of times = 4
Attack of the Clones
Anakin and Obi-Wan each make the exchange before Anakin leaves the planet Coruscant with Padme.
Mace says it to Obi-Wan
Obi-Wan gets as far as “may the” before his transmission is cut off. We don’t count this.
Number of times = 3
Revenge of the Sith
Yoda says the line to Obi-Wan just before he travels to the Wookie home planet.
Obi-Wan and Anakin say it to each other, the last time they speak as friends.
Yoda and Obi-Wan wish each other it as luck just before Yoda goes to take on Darth Sidious.
Number of times = 5
The Force Awakens
Finally, it is Commander Organa (Leia) who says the classic line to Rey at the end of the The Force Awakens. This makes ‘May the Force be with you’ the last line spoken in TFA. This line is not only one of ‘good luck’, it’s Leia truly wishing that the Force be with Rey as she begins her journey to becoming a Jedi as she heads off to find Luke Skywalker.
Number of times = 1
So it looks like Obi-Wan says it the most with three times, Yoda and Mace both twice.
Rogue One
Jyno Erso says to her band of merry Rebels “May the Force be with us”
Special mention should go to Admiral Raddus who said “Rogue one, may the Force be with you”.
K-2SO also tries to get the quote out but is told to shut up by Jyn and Cassian.
Number of times = 0
