What 'Force Awakens' & 'Magic Mike' Have In Common

Monday, Jan. 18, marks exactly a month since Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered in theaters, and in the time since its debut, it's made quite an impact, to say the least. From the billions of dollars it's made at the box office to the drama it's caused over the lack of Rey toys available, it seems like it's been non-stop Star Wars for the entirety of 2016 so far. Not that I'm complaining, of course, especially when all that talk means so many interesting Force Awakens -based theories moving around the internet. Whether it's guesses surrounding Rey's parentage or assumptions about Kylo Ren's real motives, the world has been full of Star Wars theories lately, including my own: that the Force Awakens cantina scene is exactly like the Magic Mike XXL club scene. Yes, really.

I know that sounds ridiculous, and I admit that comparing Star Wars to a movie about male strippers isn't your typical fan theory. But hear me out on this — I truly think I stumbled upon something very, very suspicious, and I believe that it's proof J.J. Abrams watched Channing Tatum get it on this summer while finishing his Force Awakens re-writes. Seriously, the Star Wars cantina scene, in which Han Solo, Finn, and Rey go to Maz Kanata's, and the Magic Mike club scene, in which Mike takes his boys to Rome's fancy strip club Domina, are far more similar than you think. Here's how:

The Reason For Going

TFA: Han takes Rey and Finn to Maz Kanata's cantina because she might be able to help them out in a significant way (by getting BB-8 to the Resistance).

MMXXL: Mike takes the group to Rome's strip club because she might be able to help them out in a significant way (by emceeing for them at the convention).

The Exterior

TFA: On the outside, the cantina has an elaborate, intimidating, design, complete with a statue of Maz Kanata.

MMXXL: On the outside, the club has an elaborate, intimidating design, complete with an engraving of Rome's initials.

The Owners

TFA: Maz Kanata is a wise, powerful woman who has serious, unknown history with Han Solo, as well as a backstory of her own that's extremely mysterious but might be unraveled in a later sequel. She's considered the female version of a male character, Yoda.

MMXXL: Rome is a wise, powerful woman who has serious, unknown history with Mike, as well as a backstory of her own that's extremely mysterious but might be unraveled in a later sequel. She's a character who was originally written as male.

The Clientele

TFA: The patrons are from all backgrounds and have all different looks, but they are there for the exact same purpose — to drink and be entertained by Maz and her bartender helpers.

MMXXL: The patrons are from all backgrounds and have all different looks, but they are there for the exact same purpose — to drink and be entertained by Rome and her stripper helpers..

The Providing Of Transportation

TFA: After spending time catching up with Han, Maz Kanata tells Finn he can catch a ride to the edge of the galaxy with some strangers.

MMXXL: After spending time catching up with Mike, Maz Kanata tells him he and the others can catch a ride to their next stop with a stranger, Andre.

The Music

TFA: The music heard during the scene isn't by who you'd expect ( Hamilton 's Lin-Manuel Miranda), but it's certainly memorable and catchy.

MMXXL: The music heard during the scene isn't by who you'd expect (Community's Donald Glover), but it's certainly memorable and catchy.

The Final Takeaway

TFA: Although Maz and the cantina didn't provide them with the answers they originally wanted, Han, Finn, and Rey come away with much more than they bargained for, information that will alter their fates and help them on their journeys.

MMXXL: Although Rome and the club didn't provide them with the answers they originally wanted, Mike and the guys come away with much more than they bargained for, information that will alter their fates and help them on their journeys.

You see what I'm saying? This similarity can't be ignored, people. Force Awakens' cantina scene is just like Magic Mike XXL's club scene, albeit with a few more creepy patrons and hidden lightsabers.

Images: Walt Disney/Lucasfilm; Warner Bros; Giphy