If you’re thinking about showing up to aStar Wars: The Force Awakensscreening serving Jedi-lightsaber-Stormtrooper-mask realness, you might want to check to see which theater chain you’re going to. Certain locations, especially those from the third largest theater chain in the U.S., Cinemark, is asking that you keep some of yourStar Warsgetup at home.
Entertainment Weeklypointed to a photo from a Twitter user. The image revealed a poster posted by Cinemark forStar Warstickets. It read, in part:
Star Warscostumes are welcome. However, no face coverings, face paint, or simulated weapons (including lightsabers/blasters) will be allowed in the building.
AMC has a similar policy in terms of costumes. A statement posted tothe websiteabove information onStar Warsreads:
AMC does not permit weapons or items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience. Guests are welcome to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks. In short, bring your lightsaber, turn it off during the movie, and leave the blaster and Darth Vader mask at home.
Whether or not you believe this to be going too far, safety in movie theaters has been an issue since mass shootings have taken place in these confined spaces. Notable instances include the 2012 shooting at a screening ofThe Dark Knight Risesin Aurora, Colorado, and the more recentTrainwreckshooting at a theater in Lafayette, Louisiana.
This costume policy could become an issue, especially with something likeStar Warsthat brings out diehard fans. Just look atthe Marvel movie marathonhosted in theaters, in which many turned up dressed as their favorite comic book characters to binge on the entire MCU beforeAvengers: Age of Ultron. Side note, AMC is hostinga similar marathonwithStar Wars.
