You may have noticed overnight that a US cinema chain is banned theatre-goers from bringing certain cosplay items to premiere screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We’ve checked in with Australian cinemas, and we’ve got some better news for local cosplayers.
Cinemark and AMC Theaters in the US currently have policies on their websites that would ban local cosplayers from bringing items like lightsabers, blasters or masks. That’s kind of problematic considering that Stormtroopers all carry blasters and masks, and one of the franchise’s most popular characters — Darth Vader — wears a mask full time.
It’s not a new policy: face coverings, masks and weapons (simulated or otherwise), have always been banned from theatres, and Star Wars fans aren’t about to get an exception.
We did some digging, and found that the ban doesn’t seem to be at a studio level (that is, Disney). The policy is coming from individual theatres.
After speaking to Australian cinema chain AHL (think Greater Union, Event Cinemas, Birch Carroll & Coyle, Skycity Cinemas, Moonlight Cinemas and Damodar Event Cinemas) have confirmed to us that they want people to bring their whole costume to the premiere. Blasters, masks, lightsabers and all!
We’ve also reached out to Hoyts to find out their policy, but hadn’t heard back at the time of publication.