“Star Wars” fans planning to see the premiere of “The Force Awakens” at Cinemark theaters will have to leave their clone trooper masks and light sabers at home.
The movie theater chain will implement a dress code at its theaters for the “Star Wars” premiere amid security concerns following recent deadly movie theater shooting incidents across the country.
Cinemark’s tickets for the highly anticipated film include fine print on the bottom that reads, “no face coverings, face paint, or simulated weapons — including light sabers — will be allowed in the buildings,” CBS’s Los Angeles affiliate reported.
Other movie theater chains are also implementing a ban on masks for the “Star Wars” premiere.
AMC told its patrons that they are welcome “to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks. In short, bring your light saber, turn it off during the movie, and leave the blaster and Darth Vader mask at home,” CBS reported.
Although the theater chains did not specify the reasons for the costume bans, it is presumed the restrictions were put in place for the safety and security of moviegoers.
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In 2012, James Holmes killed 12 people when he opened fire during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
In July, 11 people shot and 2 killed when a gunman opened fire at a Louisiana movie theater during a screening of “Trainwreck.”
Moviegoers are split on whether the costume restrictions would make them feel any safer.
“You’re in a dark space. … you don’t know what their intentions are. You don’t know if they’re concealing weapons. You want to be able to identify people in the heat of the moment,” Chris Kapica told CBS.
But Matthew Strunin said such bans on masks or plastic weapons “is not going to do anything but provide an illusion of keeping people safe,” CBS reported.
“The Force Awakens” opens in theaters Dec. 18.
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• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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