Warning: Spoilers ahead for That ’90s Show part 3!
Summary
That ’90s Showpart 3 doesn’t feature Eric Forman, but the batch of episodes reveals that the character acquired an epicStar Warsjob. Topher Grace’s Eric was one of the originalThat ’70s Showcharacters who appeared inThat ’90s Show’s first season (or “part”), but since then, Leia’s father hasn’t been in Point Place. Aside from Leia’s grandparents, Red, Kitty, and Bob, Donna has been the only prominent figure to make the jump toThat ’90s Show’s character list. Thankfully, Donna provided an update on Eric’s whereabouts, which couldn’t be more perfect.
When Eric was growing up in the ’70s, he was a massive fan ofStar Wars.That ’70s Showeven included a season 1 episode with the characters seeing the original movie in 1977, which was in the middle ofThat ’70s Show’s timeline. Considering the original movie’s popularity after its release, it was no surpriseThat ’70s Showreferenced the pop culture phenomenon in the 1999 episode. But even 25 years after Eric was established as a diehard fan, the gag was taken to a new level inThat ’90s Showpart 3.
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Eric Gets A Job At George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch In That ’90s Show Part 3
Eric’s Star Wars Job Pays Off A That ’70s Show Episode From 25 Years Ago
InThat ’90s Showpart 3, episode 7, “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Donna returns to Point Place with news that affects the entire Forman family. With the summer coming to an end, Leia expects to be heading home to Chicago. That plan changes whenDonna reveals that Eric was offered a job at Skywalker Ranch to “shadow George Lucas and write a book about the making of the new Star Wars movies.“The opportunity is referred to as Eric’s “dream job,” which might even be an understatement. However, the moment is made funnier when Kitty questions if the job means Eric needs to move to space.
That ’90s Show Has Already Paid Homage To Eric’s Star Wars Obsession
That ’90s Show’s First Episode Featured Several Star Wars References
Eric may not have been the only character inThat ’70s Showto loveStar Wars, but it quickly became an obsession for the character. His fandom was often used as a way to poke fun at Eric, whether it was Red snide comments to Eric’sStar Warsanalogies or Donna reluctantly accepting hisStar Wars-inspired fantasies. Eric also made it clear that he was a big collector ofStar Warstoys and merch. Granted, even before Eric’s job at Skywalker Ranch was revealed,That ’90s Showpaid off Eric’sStar Warsobsessionthrough his daughter’s first name, Leia.
Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in theStar Warsfranchise, appeared as Eric and Donna’s marriage counselor inThat ’70s Showseason 6.
That ’90s Show’s first episode hilariously extended the lore of Leia’s name, stating that Eric wanted his daughter’s middle name to be “Tattooine,” based on Luke’s home planet. The episode also confirmed thatEric was a college professor who taught “The Religion ofStar Wars,”so it makes sense why he’d be a candidate for a significant opportunity at Skywalker Ranch. If he’s arguing with family members about the franchise and still comparing himself toStar Warscharacters decades later, it’s safe to say he’s a dedicated and lifelong fan.
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Eric’s New Job Can Pay Off His Star Wars Obsession With A Big Twist In That ’90s Show Part 4
That ’90s Show Sets Up More Significant Eric Reveals
…it would be great if That ’90s Show part 4 reveals Eric somehow influences Lucas on the Star Wars prequels.
When Eric takes a job at Skywalker Ranch,That ’90s Show’s timeline is focused on the summer of 1996. By then, George Lucas was hard at work developing theStar Warsprequel series, andStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacewouldn’t be released for another three years. Based on the decision to allow Leia to stay in Point Place inThat ’90s Showpart 3’s ending, it’s suggested Eric will be relocating to California for an extended period. With the plot reveal, it would be great ifThat ’90s Showpart 4 reveals Eric somehow influences Lucas on theStar Warsprequels.
Eric might have been hired to write a book about the making of the prequels, but learning that his role grows into becoming someone who shapes the trilogy could be the best way to truly pay off Eric’s love of the franchise.The job connected toStar Warsis likely the only opportunity that would justify Eric being away from his family, especially Leia. Though it’s unclear if Grace will reprise his role in upcomingThat ’90s Showepisodes, getting updates on his time at Skywalker Ranch would still be satisfying after all these years of establishing his obsession.
