'Star Wars' fans beware: Theaters may restrict costumes

Fully-suited Boba Fetts and Imperial Stormtroopers won't be welcome at some theaters when "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" premieres this week in metro Detroit.

Mass shootings are fresh on people's minds following massacres Dec. 2 at a county public health event in San Bernardino, Calif., and Nov. 13 at cafes, restaurants and a music venue in Paris. In July, two people were slain and nine injured at a Lafayette, La., theater showing the movie "Trainwreck." And in July 2012, 12 people were murdered and 70 injured at a premiere of "Batman" film, "The Dark Knight Rises"; James Holmes was sentenced earlier this year to life in prison for murder in that case.

Emagine Entertainment encourages fans to go all out for the highly anticipated Dec. 17 event (official release date is Dec. 18, but many metro Detroit theaters offer screenings as early as 7 p.m. Thursday). But AMC Theaters advises its guests to adhere to specific restrictions: masks, face paint, weapons and "items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience" are prohibited, according to its news release.

AMC says in its news release the requirement to "leave the blaster, face paint and Darth Vader mask at home" aligns with its longstanding costume policy. Lightsabers are an exception to the weapons rule, but must be turned off prior to the film, according to the news release.

Emagine CEO Paul Glantz said he doesn't see any correlation between people in costumes and an increased exposure to attacks.

"That's overboard," he said of AMC's policy. "It's reasonably clear that those are toys, as are fake lightsabers. We're not concerned about fake lightsabers and toy blasters."

Emagine, which has nine theaters, mostly in metro Detroit, has sold 22,000 advance tickets for the screening through December, Glantz said. Masks and toys are welcome. He said his company doesn't comment on specifics of security procedures, "but I can assure you that the safety of our guests is always at the forefront of our minds."

For Lorenzo Miranda, 30, a dental school student who lives in Grosse Pointe, and his wife, the tickets to a premiere at an AMC theater have slightly altered their plans.

"My wife was going to dress up as Darth Vader," he said. "I got an inflatable Boba Fett jetpack."

Now, he said, he thinks his wife will end up leaving the mask in the car.

"With everything that's been going on, I'd rather err on the side of caution and not have people in masks," Miranda said, adding that he spent nine years in the U.S. Army and is always on alert. "I wouldn't say this situation puts me more on alert or less on alert."

The Michigan-based Great Lakes Garrison of the 501st Legion, a group of people who dress up in highly realistic Star Wars costumes — frequently at events such as charity fund-raisers, sporting events and parades — issued a brief statement via Facebook:

"The 501st is excited to celebrate a new era of 'Star Wars' with our patented brand of costuming and community involvement, but we obviously want to follow the procedures that our partners feel provide the best theater-going experience for the fans as 'The Force Awakens.'"

Glantz said this will be one of the top film openings of all time.

"We believe that this should be an absolutely joyous experience, and we're encouraging our guests to come attired in their costumes," he said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Contact Robert Allen: rallen@freepress.com or @rallenMI