Star Wars fans from the 501st UK Garrison & Rebel Legion Elstree Base cosplay group caused an out of this galaxy frenzy as they took to the streets of London on December 15 in full Storm Trooper costume, popping up at the capital’s commuter hotspots including the Millennium Bridge and Canary Wharf tube station. The stunt, which was put together with the help of the stunt and PR agency Taylor Herring, certainly turned some heads, even those indifferent to the famous science fiction franchise.
The costumed fan groups were en route to a special fan screening of Rogue One: A: Star Wars Story before the film’s nationwide release. On their way, they paid homage to the new film by visiting one of the locations used in the movie, the Canary Wharf tube station, which features as a filming backdrop in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Commuters were left surprised and delighted as fans trooped along the station concourse and caught a Jubilee line train. In addition, they visited the Millennium Bridge.
The first standalone film from the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is an all-new epic adventure. In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.
Gareth Edwards, the UK director of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, said: “I’ve always been a huge Star Wars fan and grew up with the original trilogy; to me they’re the ultimate movies. Stormtroopers are synonymous with the Star Wars franchise and what better way to celebrate the launch of Rogue One than by bringing together fans to celebrate the release of the new film”.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released in cinemas yesterday (Thursday the 15th of December) and from early reviews it looks set to become the most critically lauded entry in the franchise thus far! I have my own tickets booked for tomorrow night. No spoilers please!
501st UK Garrison & Rebel Legion Elstree Base at the Rogue One premier
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and struggling musician from Kidderminster in the UK.
