CHICAGO — Gabe Calderon will don traditional Jedi garb — an Anakin Skywalker replica lightsaber, a brown tunic and a dark brown robe — when he watches "The Force Awakens" on Thursday, but not everyone will be so lucky.
Theater chains are telling fans to leave lightsabers and face-covering costume items at home (which kind of ruins any Darth Vader or Darth Maul costumes that were in the works).
Calderon, the leader of the Chicago Jedi, said when the Jedi were primarily looking for a theater with opening day tickets, but they also checked to make sure they could bring their costumes and lightsabers along. The Chicago Jedi are a group of residents who try to model their lives after the heroes of the Star Wars world.
"We've known that some theaters aren't allowing lightsabers," Calderon said. The Chicago Jedi will head to the Icon Theater on Roosevelt for a showing of "The Force Awakens" on Thursday. "Hearing that lightsabers were OK for this place, that allows for a little bit more drama, a little bit more of a show."
Lightsabers, which resemble swords with a plasma blade, have become an icon of the Star Wars franchise as the weapon of choice for Jedi and the Sith (the Dark side). Calderon said fans dress up for Star Wars movie premieres and bring their lightsabers because part of the excitement is "to be seen." He expects the Chicago Jedi's martial arts experts to perform with their blades.
But, Cinemark has asked fans to leave anything that resembles a weapon — be it saber or blaster — at home, and those wearing face paint or masks won't be allowed in. AMC (like the one selling tickets for the premiere in Block 37) is allowing lightsabers, but it's also banning face paint, masks and items that resemble weapons, including blasters. Regal Cinemas has not said what its policy will be and did not respond to requests for comment.
Calderon said the Jedi are excited that they can wear their costumes, but they'll turn their lightsabers off during "The Force Awakens." The most important thing, after all, was getting to see the movie, he said.
"The fact that [the Icon is] allowing lightsabers and dressing up was a bonus. Our main focus was to be able to see the movie," Calderon said. "To be able to see it in robes and lightsabers, it just adds to it."
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