This movie theater knows an elegant weapon for a more civilized age when it sees one.
While many chains around the country banned "Star Wars" fans from bringing simulated weapons into theaters when "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" hit theaters last December, Alamo Drafthouse, including its newly opened Downtown Brooklyn location, will permit lightsabers at screenings of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" opening this week.
An email sent by the theater at 445 Albee Square West encouraged customers to watch "Rogue One" dressed as their favorite character from the "Star Wars" universe, while issuing a reminder: "Lightsabers are OK, but otherwise please leave your cosplay weapons at home." (That means no blasters, folks.)
In the wake of the 2012 movie-theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, and another in 2015 in Lafayette, Louisiana, chains like Regal Cinemas and Bow Tie Cinemas have started to crack down on costumes with some prohibiting all masks, face-coverings and weapons-like props at "The Force Awakens" screenings in late last year and early this year.
AMC Theaters welcomed "Star Wars" fans to come dressed in costume and bring their lightsabers, but asked that they keep the illuminating toy swords off in theaters and leave masks and blasters at home. The company is upholding the same policy for "Rogue One" screenings.
Starring Felicity Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, Forest Whitaker and Alan Tudyk, the "Star Wars: A New Hope" prequel chronicles Jyn Erso and her crew's quest to steal plans for the Death Star and technically debuts Friday, Dec. 16, although some theaters are holding Thursday evening screenings.
If you've already bought your tickets, we recommend calling ahead to find out your theater’s costume policy.
