BREMERTON – Several Bremerton moviegoers were conscripted as Imperial Stormtroopers by the Emperor himself as members of the 501st Legion Star Wars costuming organization visited SEEfilm theater Dec. 19.
Dressed in black robes and walking with a cane, the evil leader of the Star Wars Empire (played by Rob Taylor of Redmond) walked past a line of people waiting inside. He pointed his finger at each person and said, “Stormtrooper … stormtrooper …”
The moviegoers seemed bemused by their new titles.
The Emperor advised them of the most important rule: Not to mention spoilers to anyone after watching the new Star Wars film.
“The first rule of Star Wars is don’t talk about Star Wars,” the Emperor said.
“I thought this was the Star Trek line,” he joked.
Several people dressed as Star Wars characters visited the theater that day. They were a few of the 100 or so members of the local “Garrison Titan” group, which is a sub-group of the world-wide 10,000-member 501st Legion costuming organization.
“We are here celebrating the grand opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” said Garrison Titan member Scott Kellas (also known as Darth D-lux.)
“We’re just kind of trying to spread some cheer and some excitement about the movie.”
Kellas had already seen the film twice.
The group previously attended a Star Wars movie marathon at Cinerama in Seattle were attendees watched all seven films back-to-back. They began watching the films at 1 a.m.
“We were in the theater for 24 hours because we did a special event after,” Kellas said.
“We do a lot of charity stuff. We love that.”
The 501st raised $15 million last year worldwide for different charities, they said.
“And we get to share our love of Star Wars with people around the world, which is really awesome.”
X-Wing pilot Richard Kellogg, right, watches as Ahsoka Tano (Anya Blissett of Seattle) plays a Star Wars arcade game Dec. 19 in Bremerton.
X-Wing pilot Richard Kellogg explains how his “space suit” allows him to breathe and stay warm in space to Rodriguez family members Kerry, Javier, 6, Emmanuel, 14 months, Benjamin, 3, Adela, 5, and Juanita, 9, at SEEfilm theater in Bremerton Dec. 19. The children were asking Kellogg questions about his costume.
The Emperor (Rob Taylor of Redmond), X-wing pilot Richard Kellogg, Imperial Knight Vikki Taylor and Tusken Raider Arlene Kellas chat with people in line at SEEfilm theater in Bremerton Dec. 19.
Imperial Knight Vikki Taylor and Tusken Raider Arlene Kellas order nachos at the theater.
Star Wars characters pose with moviegoers for a photo Dec. 19.
