Heightened security for Star Wars viewings

December 17, 2015 4:24 pm

By News Staff

Reporting by Kainani Stevens

kstevens@abc6.com

The newest installment of the Star Wars series, The Force Awakens, is just a couple hours away and millions of fans are expected to flock to theaters nationwide.

Movie theaters are doing their best to prepare for the massive crowds

"I’m just excited to see the direction they go again, and I mean, come on, we get to see Harrison Ford again!" says fan, Vincent Grasso, of South Kingstown.

The security concerns, though, seem to be outweighing the fun. With recent terror attacks in San Bernadino and Paris, and the Dark Knight movie theater shooting in 2012, theaters have amped up security to prepare for the crowds.

Some of the costume pieces that fans planned to wear won’t be allowed this time around. Showcase Cinema lists on their website that masks, face paint, and weapons are banned.

"We showed up with light sabers and they said we couldn’t have them, even though they’re plastic, so we just said ok," explains Johnston fan, Jonathan Teixeira.

Guests are still welcome to dress in costume though, and the fans that spoke to ABC6 News don’t seem to mind.

"We all just showed up in Stormtrooper onesies instead, and it wasn’t planned. It’s cool because we all just bonded," says Thomas Burcosky, of Cranston.