May 4 is not a national holiday, however many fans of the hit movie “Star Wars” recognize the date to celebrate the billion dollar franchise.
“May the Fourth Be With You” has recently become a day to enjoy everything “Star Wars,” especially with the resurgence of the film “ The Force Awakens,” that was released in Dec. 2015.
With thousands of people posting photos, dressing up in costumes and hosting "Star Wars" marathons, one Tulsa man has taken his love for the movies to another level by creating replicas of droid machines featured in each film.
Jeff Barnes began creating droids a decade ago and says his inspiration came from his love for “Star Wars” as a kid.
“Some dads like to work on cars or like you said play golf. I like to make things. It's what I do in my career and this is a nice diversion that kind of honestly uses the same brain cells," Barnes said.
Barnes, who owns his own graphic design business, has traveled to many Comic Con and Star Wars festivals across the country to display his droids and enjoy the fandom that is “Star Wars.”
One of the droids Barnes created, R2-D3, made an appearance in the movie “Star Wars: Episode One,” and he is known as one of the many droid makers in a large group of “Star Wars” fans.
Although Barnes loves to create droids, he admits the process can be very time consuming and expensive. However, his drive is based on the passion of creation even more than his love for Star Wars.
Many friends and family members of Barnes tease him about his hobby, but Jeff says he will continue to build the droids until he is physically unable.
“Friends and family are like, 'Wow Jeff you are really kind of a nerd.' My response to that is, well honestly, I think everyone has nerd in them it's whether they let it out or not. You look at the numbers at these, like the new Stars Wars film for example. The massive amount of ticket sells, there are nerds. We're all nerds,” Barnes said.
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Although Barnes loves to create droids, he admits the process can be very time consuming and expensive. However, his drive is based on the passion of creation even more than his love for Star Wars.
Many friends and family members of Barnes tease him about his hobby, but Jeff says he will continue to build the droids until he is physically unable.
“Friends and family are like, 'wow Jeff you are really kind of a nerd.' My response to that is, well honestly, I think everyone has nerd in them it's whether they let it out or not. You look at the numbers at these, like the new Stars Wars film for example. The massive amount of ticket sells, there are nerds. We're all nerds,” Barnes said.
