It looks like a documentary crew got a little help financially from a man named George Lucas for their film about dudes that dress up like Imperial Stormtroopers. We get the following scoop from movieweb:
I recently learned that George Lucas is backing a new feature length documentary about the 501 Stormtrooper legion entitled Star Warriors. The film is being put together by the same team that brought us the awesome documentary Look, Up in the Sky!: The Amazing Story of Superman.
Someone close to the film told me about the amazing footage they have accumulated from all over the globe. Apparently, Lucas’ pull was so strong, he got the 501 legion, which consists of over a hundred members, to march in the Rose Bowl parade. An awesome sight to behold, this entire event was captured on camera.
The editors are still putting the finishing touches on the documentary, which may first air in a truncated version on The History Channel before going to DVD.
Say what you will about the 501 Legion, when they get together and march in formation – it is nothing short of awesome. As far as hobbies go these guys are intense, but they would have to be. A person that is somewhat enthusiastic about Star Wars would not fashion a suit of Storm Trooper armor from scratch.
I love documentaries about hobbyists, it is so exciting to see people doing what they are passionate about, and hobbies are almost always a passion. We may find the hobby strange, but when you see the normal life behind the hobby you are sent for a loop. Regular folks may have strange and/or exotic hobbies and that is part of life’s celebration.
I think it is great that Lucas employs the 501 Legion in promo stuff for his films, and for Celebration events. It is a nod from himself to the fans, and he takes this acknowledgment one step further now by funding a documentary about some of his most hard-core enthusiasts. It is classy and kind that he choose to back this documentary. Lucas never seems to be embarrassed by the most seemingly ridiculous of Star Wars fans, he lets people enjoy his work the way they want to; and that is cool as hell.
