, 
, 
Moviegoers to Friday night’s feature at the Palace Theatre in downtown Luverne received a preview to the upcoming Aug. 31st viewing of “Star Wars,” thanks to a visit from members of the 501st Legion.
The Legion is a volunteer organization of costumed enthusiasts who dress as villains from the epic 1977 movie, according to the group’s website.
They will be back in Luverne Saturday, Aug. 31, for the free showing of the first space opera written by director George Lucas.
Shown at 7 p.m. will be the 20th anniversary edition, where many of the space fight scenes have been digitally enhanced.
Palace executive director Shawn Kinsinger said he’s looking forward to hosting the science fiction event in the historic vaudeville-style theater with the costumed characters.
“It’s 25 percent (theater) promotion and 75 percent of ‘Star Wars is just awesome,’” he said.
The movie grossed $775 million when it opened in 1977 and stayed at the No. 1 spot until 1982, when “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” took over the top movie spot.
The 501st Legion is a fictional unit of the Imperial Stormtroopers. Since the initial movie debuted 42 years ago, the 501st Legion has been mentioned in several of the seven movies that make up the Star Wars saga.
Since its 1977 debut, Star Wars was renamed “Star Wars: A New Hope.” In the saga lineup, the first movie’s plot line makes it the fourth movie in the saga lineup.
Its plot surrounds the stealing of the Galactic Empire’s Death Star plans. The Death Star is a moon-sized space station capable of destroying entire planets.
Main characters include Princess Leia who steals the plans, a robot named R2-D2 in which the plans are hid, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo who team up to destroy the Death Star before Darth Vader can activate the weapon.
Darth Vader is a popular costume among members of the 501st Legion.
“He has a real cool helmet,” said Derrick Demers from Thief River Falls.
Demers and his wife, Deanne, were in Luverne Friday night. Deanne dressed as bounty hunter Boushh.
Also in Luverne Friday were Damian Woelfel from Seaforth dressed as another bounty hunter, and Boba Fett and Robert Schubert from Kasson brought the full-size replica of the droid R2-D2 that took 18 months to construct.
All are members of the 501st Legion’s Central Garrison, encompassing Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota.
Members from the Legion will return to Luverne Aug. 31 to pose for pictures beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the free movie showing beginning at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre.