The tragic reality facing Star Wars fans

IT’S arguably the most anticipated movie in history, yet fans of the upcoming seventh instalment in the Star Wars franchise are facing a scary possibility.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer (Official) - Photo Supplied Youtube

DIEHARD Star Wars fans will have to leave the masks and toy lightsabers at home when they flock to see the highly anticipated seventh film in the franchise this December.

America’s major cinemas chains have all instituted bans on face coverings, face paint and toy weapons, following a wave of cinema shootings in recent years.

With The Force Awakens having smashed all pre-sale ticket records, US cinemagoers are facing the very real threat of another mass shooting.

Major cinema chains Cinemark and AMC have joined Regal in implementing bans and even bag checks, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Star Wars costumes are welcome. However, no face coverings, face paint or simulated weapons (including lightsabers/blasters) will be allowed in the building,” Cinemark told customers via posters.

AMC said on its website: “AMC does not permit weapons or items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience.

“Guests are welcome to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks. In short, bring your lightsaber, turn it off during the movie, and leave the blaster and Darth Vader mask at home.”

In 2012, one of the worst mass shootings in US history took place in Aurora, Colorado at the premiere of the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises.

James Holmes, 27, was sentenced to 12 life sentences plus 3,318 years over the massacre which left 12 dead and 70 wounded.

In July this year, John Russell Houser killed two and wounded nine when he opened fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theatre screening the comedy film Trainwreck.

The 59-year-old left the building but returned when police arrived. The law school graduate with a history of mental issues eventually killed himself.

In August, a Nashville, Tennessee man was killed by police after attacking moviegoers with a hatchet and pepper spray during a screening of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Vincente David Montano, 51, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2006, reportedly aimed and fired at police with an airsoft pistol. One man suffered a cut to his shoulder in the attack.

James Holmes killed 12 people and wounded 70 at a movie theatre in July 2012.

Posting a “tragic, but very important note” on the popular Star Wars forum on news site Reddit last week, one user warned fellow fans to be wary.

“It feels like just yesterday that the Aurora theatre shootings happened. It’s unfortunate that we even have to question our safety in a movie theatre of all places now,” user enthya wrote.

“Please be careful this holiday season if you’re dressing up for the movie premiere. This is going to be a huge event, and I have faith in law enforcement around the world to be keeping us safe during it.”

Another described their hesitation. “My brother bought tickets for the whole family and offered to pay for his best friend but he declined because of the shootings occurring at major premieres,” iLeGuillen wrote. “I’ll have to admit I’m terrified of that myself. Almost told my brother not to buy me a ticket because of this very reason.”

Others, however, said the fears were overblown. “I saw Batman the night after the Aurora theatre shooting and I only live a couple of towns away from there,” wrote aatencio91.

“I was on edge all night so I totally understand your concern, but to let that fear keep you from seeing a movie you’ve been waiting for for years is excessive. Seriously, chances are nothing will happen at all, let alone in your theatre.”

Last month, President Barack Obama delivered a frustrated speech in response to yet another mass shooting — the 45th in an American school or university this year — calling for a real debate about gun control.

“There is a gun for roughly every man, woman or child in America. So how can you with a straight face make the argument that more guns will make us safer,” he said.

“We know that states with gun laws have the fewest deaths … We know that other countries in response to one mass shooting have been able to craft laws that almost eliminate mass shootings. These are countries like us. Great Britain … Australia …”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in Australia on December 17.

Most box office analysts are tipping the J.J. Abrams film to become the highest-grossing film of all time, with some even predicting a $2.78 billion ($US2 billion) worldwide box office.

The trailer for the film, which premiered last month during ESPN’s Monday Night Football, was viewed 128 million times in a single day.

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Originally published as The tragic reality facing Star Wars fans