“STAR” POWER
The Force is strong with area franchise fans before the seventh installment “Awakens”
“There has been an awakening,” a sinister voice croaks in the first trailer for “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens.” “Have you felt it?”
The character, believed to be Supreme Leader Snoke (voiced by Andy Serkis), is talking about The Force. But he could easily be describing the enthusiasm for the seventh installment of this sprawling space saga, which hits theaters Dec. 18 and has already raked in more than $50 million in advance ticket sales.
“I have a lot of hope, and trepidation,” said Jeff LaGreca, who co-organized the “‘Star Wars’ Eve” party at 3 Kings Tavern for Wednesday. “Our big celebration is geared toward going back to that sense of youthful excitement we had with the first trilogy, since the more recent (prequel) trilogy was such a disappointment.”
LaGreca’s event, sponsored by Nerd Riot and DiNK comics expo, will feature LaGreca’s band H2Awesome! in costume (LaGreca plans to dress as Dark Helmet from the “Star Wars” spoof “Spaceballs”) performing “Star Wars”-themed songs. A toy presentation, “Wookiee-off ” (Chewbacca contest), costume competition, art show and other games round out the night.
“We have a song called ‘Uncle Owen,’ which imagines if Luke Skywalker were punk rock and rebelled against more than just the Empire,” LaGreca said.
Geeking out over the “Star Wars” universe in creative, personalized ways has been a tradition going back to the original 1977 film, the success of which helped create not only Hollywood’s blockbuster culture but modern entertainment-based fandom.
Gathering with others to publicly celebrate this sci-fi franchise has become a selfperpetuating rite, and one that dovetails with the multimillion dollar marketing ef-
forts of Walt Disney Co. — which bought “Star Wars” creator George Lucas’ Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion.
“The thing that (was) so fun about ‘Star Wars’ ... was the communal experience of being with hundreds of people,” said J.J. Abrams, who directed the latest installment, in an Associated Press interview. “They’re experiences that allow us to feel that connectivity, which is truly what ‘Star Wars’ is all about — the Force and the idea that we’re all connected.”
That notion provides numerous opportunities for “Star Wars”-related indulgence over the next few weeks, from people who dress up like stormtroopers and droids to theaters that aren’t even showing the film.
LaGreca’s H2Awesome!, for example, is also playing the Alamo Drafthouse in Littleton to celebrate the theatrical premiere of “The Force Awakens.” The Alamo is devoting most of its theaters to screening “The Force Awakens” around the clock on opening weekend. All firstday showings are sold out, but tickets remain for subsequent days — like Dec. 19, when the Drafthouse is screening the film 38 separate times.
“This is probably what it felt like to work at a movie theater when ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ came out (in 1980),” said Steve Bessette, creative manager for the Alamo Littleton. “It’s going to be one of the most insane openings in film history.”
The theater is cashing in with other events, including a Saturday visit from Oscar-winning “Star Wars” special-effects artist Dennis Muren and Wednesday’s “Science Friction” screening of 2011’s “Attack the Block,” which featured “The Force Awakens” co-star John Boyega.
Only the most committed, however, are taking part in the Drafthouse’s “The Marathon Awakens,” which selects seven “Star Wars” fans to watch the first six movies in order, followed by multiple screenings of “The Force Awakens.”
Like the Drafthouse, “Star Wars” costuming groups the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion have booked numerous events around the new film (they’ll be in attendance on opening day at the Drafthouse, too).
“It’s like our Super Bowl, and we weren’t sure we were going to get another one,” said Rebel Legion base commander Patrick Gillies, 50, who leads the Mountain Base chapter of the 6,000member global organization. “We’re doing a lot of private events for charity and fundraisers, but also fan events.”
Upcoming appearances for the Rebel Legion’s 80 area members, who portray Jedi knights, X-wing pilots and other “Star Wars” good guys, include screenings to raise money for Urban Peak and The Colorado Teen Project.
A Dec. 19 public event in conjunction with Lowry-based Wings Over the Rockies includes a viewing of the museum’s ¾-scale X-wing replica, “Star Wars”-related speakers, an afternoon showing of “The Force Awakens” at Harkins Northfield 18, and an after-party.
East Colfax Avenue’s Sie FilmCenter may not be showing “The Force Awakens,” but Friday it is hosting a free screening of the infamous “‘Star Wars’ Holiday Special,” featuring a visit from “Darth Santa.”
“Lucas has disowned it, but he should really embrace it because it’s the only ‘Star Wars’ movie that makes you long for the prequels!” said Ernie Quiroz, programming manager for the Denver Film Society. “And in January, I’m collaborating with local filmmaker Alexandre Phillipe (of the documentary ‘The People vs. George Lucas’) on a four-part series called ‘Star Wars: Origins of the Force,’ featuring films that inspired Lucas to make the ‘Star Wars’ saga.”
Other “Star Wars”-related events plan to capitalize on the expected longevity of “The Force Awakens” in theaters. Colorado Symphony Orchestra will bring back its “Star Wars”-themed concerts Dec. 26 and 27 at Boettcher Concert Hall for a “Weekend of ‘Star Wars.’ ” Charlie Ross’ touring (and self-explanatory) “One Man ‘Stars Wars’ Trilogy” stage show plays the Lone Tree Arts Center Dec. 29 and 30. And Denver Art Museum is reaching into next year with its “‘Star Wars’ and the Power of Costume” exhibition, which open Nov. 13 and runs through April 2, 2017.
“We’re just trying to zero in on letting everybody be their own fanboy or a fangirl,” said “‘Star Wars’ Eve” co-organizer LaGreca. “Instead of just looking at a screen, you’re interacting with and feeding off everyone. That’s what ‘Star Wars’ has always been about.”