Star Wars Celebration told through the eye-catching cosplayers
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Day 3
The Modal Nodes, above
Not every alien species in Star Wars is easy to cosplay for humans. At least with Twi’leks, they have humanoid faces, and lekku don’t necessarily have to be heavy. Bith, however, do not have such features, so anyone who wants to recreate one of the more memorable parts of the cantina scene in A New Hope has to prepare for some serious headgear. To not only get in costume, but start to “play” on the floor got plenty of attention from fans.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayer. Image taken by C Wassenaar
Darth Vader
The cosplayers at Star Wars Celebration were all incredibly kind about posing when asked for pictures, but this picture comes with an extra layer of kindness despite being of a Sith Lord. The lines for the Star Wars Celebration Store were particularly long, and some people I met held my place in line while I flagged down this Vader, who was happy to do a Force Choke on camera.
Why did I ask for his photo?
It’s all about the tinted lenses. Vader sports them in some films, perhaps most prominently in Rogue One. It’s a tiny thing, but it matters.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker
What is funnier in this photo: Anakin’s very serious facial expression, the sign, the misnumbering on the sign, or Obi-Wan’s expression?
There is no right answer, because the answer is all of the above. The anti-sand agenda rises again, and it’s all thanks to this Anakin. (They made me cackle the entire time I was taking their photos, so I want to give them props for keeping in character while they posed.)
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Val and Lando Calrissian
Val deserves better than her fate in Solo, so to see this cosplayer go all-out on recreating her look from the heist warmed this writer’s heart. To then getting to pose next to a Lando Calrissian that was absolutely feeling the spirit of the Cloud City charmer might have added that little something to her expression. Props to our Lando, too, for actually having a pattern on the inside of his cape. Lando actually does in The Empire Strikes Back, though it’s sometimes tough to see.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Han Solo, Chewbacca, Qi’ra, and Enfys Nest
At first, I didn’t know that Enfys Nest was part of a group, but once the Chewbacca got the helmet back on, all four cosplayers were happy to pose. (The Han had also just taken a couple pictures with some stormtroopers that were just arriving, perhaps explaining how easily he got back into character for this picture.) Sometimes, coming as a group just makes the entire cosplay look better.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Darth Revan, Ahsoka Tano, and Padmé Amidala
Ahsoka lives! There were plenty of cosplayers who channeled Ahsoka at Celebration, but not many put together her staff as seen in Star Wars Rebels. I was lucky enough to see two (and you’ll see the second shortly). That’s why I stopped this one in particular. It’s something not everyone goes for, and it’s worth celebrating.
This cosplayer also came with a Darth Revan, as seen to the left, and then a Padmé Amidala from Attack of the Clones to the right. Sometimes, it’s great when characters all match; sometimes, it’s even better when they represent different eras of the galaxy.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Mandalorians
Mandalorian representation was strong at Star Wars Celebration, but these two not only had the right timing by standing near one of the sets, they also came with appropriately weathered-looking armor. That’s what drew my eye, even before I got up close and saw just how detailed both these outfits are.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayer. Image taken by C Wassenaar
Padmé at her wedding
Padmé got a lot of representation from cosplayers at Star Wars Celebration, but over the five days, only one cosplayer that I saw came in a representation of Padmé’s wedding gown. Just look at some of the ornate beading that’s on both the gown and the veil. I could have just gushed over this all day, but she had things to do.
Star Wars Celebration cosplayers. Image: C Wassenaar
Mon Mothma and Ahsoka Tano
Again, the mixing of mediums makes for some fascinating photos. Mon Mothma is another great choice for those who want to represent characters who don’t often get love, as she’s both a Senator and then a leader of the Rebel Alliance, primarily known for her film appearances. Ahsoka, meanwhile, dominates animated series any time she shows up, like with the now-revived The Clone Wars. I stopped for Mon Mothma, but these two strong women, one working as a leader and one working as a fulcrum, made for a great photo.