May the Fourth be with you: Create your own Star Wars star at new exhibition

The Standard's Alistair Foster channels his inner Jedi at the O2's Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition

Meet Al Solo — a brand new character from the Star Wars universe who looks like a dubious cross between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul.

To mark Star Wars day today (May the Fourth), the Standard was invited to an O2 exhibition that gives fans the unique opportunity to create their own hero — or villain — from the sci-fi canon.

Experts from fields including psychology, neuropsychology and genetics put together the experience which creates customised characters for each visitor, complete with their own story.

The exhibition also has original costumes, props and models of the spaceships used in the movies, including the Millennium Falcon and the Empire’s iconic Star Destroyer.

Yoda session: Alistair Foster finding his inner Force at the O2 exhibition (Alex Lentati)

When entering Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition, visitors are given a wristband which collects all of the information needed for a journey deep into “a galaxy far, far away”.

The first choice when creating a character is the species, with the option of the hairier Wookiee or Ewok races, or the more traditional human.

I plump for Dathomirian after my favourite villain Darth Maul. Each exhibit studies the movies’ characters and their circumstances — their motives, home planets and relationships — all vital components that have made the Star Wars universe so believable for its legions of fans.

Darth choice: Al Solo, a well-meaning Jedi from Coruscant

A personality test includes 10 questions on your values and what you consider important; you are asked to choose your parents and even for your view on the universe at large.

In keeping with my boyhood wish to become a Jedi Knight, I follow a path paved with good intentions, a strong affinity with the Force and a backstory that includes growing up on the city planet of Coruscant and cheating to win at podracing — the only blot on my CV. When your character is complete, you are offered the ultimate choice, like Luke Skywalker. Do you accept the evil Emperor’s offer to join him on the dark side? Not a chance!

Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition - In pictures

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And so Al Solo is born — a well-meaning Jedi who might cheat against you in a game of Dejarik.

The exhibition runs until September, with London being one of 12 cities around the world where it is touring.

May The Fourth — a play on the phrase “may the Force be with you — began being celebrated by fans in 2011 and has since grown into a huge worldwide celebration of the series.

Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition at The O2 until September. starwarsidentities.com

Star Wars - In pictures

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