For about a week prior to Dec. 17, Goodrich resident Jon Leopold avoided social media.
And for good reason.
Leopold was attempting to dash the slightest clue of the latest outer space adventure? ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,? which opened nationwide last week and locally at NCG Trillium Cinema in Grand Blanc. The movie has drawn record crowds according to news reports.
‘The Force Awakens? is the latest in the ‘Star Wars? series which began with ‘Episode IV: A New Hope,? released on May 25, 1977 by 20th Century Fox. Since then the space series, which includes sequels ‘The Empire Strikes Back? (1980) and ‘Return of the Jedi? (1983), comprising the original ‘Star Wars? trilogy, have become a cultural icon for many followers indulging Leopold.
?’The Force Awakens,? actually opened in Los Angeles a few days before, so I did not want a spoiler message to ruin it for me,? said Leopold, 42, a 1991 Brandon High School graduate. ‘However, I was not so lucky’an Instagram described a major scene. Still, I loved ‘Star Wars.? It started as a kid growing up in the mid 1990s’I was about 4-years-old when it first came out. To me, it’s the outer space adventure with battles, interesting characters and creatures.?
While it’s been more than 38 years since the opening line of ‘Star Wars?? ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away’first scrolled across the movie screen, the adventure continues for Leopold.
From a ‘Star Wars? wedding in 2004 for he and wife Susie that included Stormtroopers and a Yoda ice sculpture to attending massive ‘Star Wars? celebrations that draw thousands of fans worldwide’the attraction continues to grow.
‘The Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate fan experience? I’ve been to six of seven since they started,? he said.
In July 2016 the Star Wars Celebration is in London, England at the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre.
‘I can’t make it to Europe, but I’ll attend when it comes back to the United States,? he said.
Leopold is also a member of the 501st Legion, an international fan-based organization of more than 10,000 members that wear screen-accurate replicas of Star Wars characters including Imperial Stormtrooper armor, Sith Lords, Clone troopers, bounty hunters, along with other villains. The group attends many sporting events and visits the UM Children’s Hospital and Mott Children’s Hospital.
On the eve of the Dec. 17 debut of ‘The Force Awakens,? Leopold and others gathered in Star Wars garb and posed for pictures in the lobby at NCG Trillium Cinema.
‘I dressed up as General Madine, but I did not get the attention of R2-D2,? he said. ‘My wife was Princes Leia’she really made the day of some of the little girls who came to the movie.?
After watching ‘The Force Awakens? twice since the debut, Leopold refused to comment.
‘I really don’t want to spoil it for those who may be waiting for the crowds to go down,? he said. ‘But it’s one of the best of all ‘only ‘The Empire Strikes Back? is better.?