The Star Wars Celebration is known as the ultimate fan experience. Those in the community, whether they be cosplayers or closeted enthusiasts, look forward to this event almost every year. The convention takes place annually (with the exception of the sorely missed convention in 2018) and is held in different portals of the world each time. In 2017, the Star Wars Celebration was held in Orlando, Florida which brought in over 70,000 people. And this year Chicago, Illinois had the honor of playing host to this highly anticipated occasion.
For Star Wars fans, however, it doesn’t matter where in the world they are— they are willing to make the trek for this convention. Fans come from around the globe to be the first to hear the latest in Star Wars news, meet the actors, and to buy limitless Star Wars souvenirs. Cosplayers are also known to bring their A-game to this coveted event, meaning that there were cosmic ends of phenomenal cosplays crossing paths throughout the convention’s quarters.
It would be a futile task to bring attention to all of the out-of-this-world cosplays that were seen throughout the event. From a Rick and Morty Storm Trooper to a larger-than-life Chewbacca, the creativity put into these costumes were mind-blowing.
So here are 10 inspiring cosplays from the five-day event!
10. Shriv
Shriv Suurgav is a Duro; a humanoid from the planet of the same name. He faithfully served the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the Resistance. He helped create a new Inferno Squad for the Resistance and fought against the Imperial Forces. He is a friendly and loyal character, whose allegiance lines up with General Leia Organa.
Shriv is voiced by Dan Donahue in the 2017 game Star Wars: Battlefront II. However, this cosplayer did a phenomenal job bringing Shriv to life. The special effects mask pairs well with his battle suit and makes the fictional alien look almost real!
9. Krennic and Vice Admiral Holdo
Orson Krennic was introduced into the Star Wars film franchise in 2016's Rogue One. Australian actor, Ben Mendelsohn, plays the role of Director of the Advanced Weapons Research of the Empire's Imperial Military and turns out to be a prominent villain in Return of the Jedi.
Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, an officer in the Rebellion played a vital role in Return of the Jedi. Actress Laura Dern played the stoic lead with grace. And despite her demeanor, audiences couldn’t help feel for her character in those last pivotal moments.
These cosplayers did a phenomenal job recreating these two characters from the newest installments of the Star Wars series. Jen Markham, who is cosplaying as Amilyn Holdo here, shared this photo on her Instagram among a bevy of other cosplays from the Star Wars Celebration. She is described as a “Writer, producer, costumer, inline skater, New Yorker.”
8. The Real Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren is the estranged son of Hans Solo and Lei Organa. Viewers first learn of his history in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and fans have been watching the continuing saga with anticipation to see how Kylo turns out. This tragic warrior of the First Order aspires to be powerful like his grandfather, Darth Vadar. Though, fans are eager to see if he will ever leave the dark side of the Force with the persuasion of Rey.
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This cosplayer looks startlingly similar to Adam Driver, the actor who portrays Kylo Ren. His costume has full-fledge details so there is no mistaking which character he is. From the rivets on his cloak to his discernible lightsaber scar, this Kylo Ren cosplayer absolutely nailed it.
7. Tamry Vora
Tamara Ryvora, also known as “Tam” is a character on the Disney Channel animated series Star Wars Resistance. Tam, voice by Suzie McGrath, was introduced to the show in 2018 when it first premiered. She is affiliated with the First Order and Team Fireball. Originally, she was meant to be a background character, but she was so well-received that she now plays a major role in the animated TV show.
This cosplayer brought out an absolutely perfect representation of Tam. People complimented her profusely at the Star Wars Celebration for her costume and she even had the chance to meet McGrath in her cosplay. In her photo with McGrath she says,
“...lastly a shoutout to the spirit of procrastination because I finished this project 20 minutes before I took this photo “
6. Zabrak Sith
Zabrak is a near-human species from the planet Iridoniam, according to Star Wars lore. Zabrak is independent, proud and was a fierce defier when the Empire tried to overthrow her planet. Instead, Zabrak fought back and joined the Alliance to restore the Republic. She made her first appearance in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.
Laura Rose Xavier is a cosplayer and prop maker from Milwaukee, WI. Her special effects makeup work isn’t too shabby either! She created a seamless and convincing Zabrak cosplay, with particular praise going to the signature horns on her head.
5. Hologram Leia
Our first ever glimpse of Princess Leia (played by the late Carrie Fisher) came in the form of a hologram sent to Luke Skywalker in the initial Star Wars film. The hologram was meant to be delivered to Obi One Kenobi, who later takes on the role of Luke Skywalker’s mentor. It was during this scene that Leia delivered the now infamous lines, “Help me Obi One Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”
The cosplay scene is laden with a ridiculous amount of creativity, as proven by @mslunaflare. Who would have ever thought to cosplay Hologram Leia? She pulled off the color scheme and overall costume with finesse so that there is no questioning what Star Wars scene this Leia look is referring to.
Luna Flare is a Kansas City cosplayer, who can also be seen frequently dressing up as Disney princesses.
4. Battle Damaged Storm Trooper
This graphic cosplay is one you won't see every day. It's this level of imagination that you can expect from cosplayers at the Star Wars Celebration. This battle-damaged Storm Trooper displays a striking scene. Even the usual impeccably white armor is made to look weathered and rusted. There are bullet holes, blood, and a major slash (from a lightsaber, perhaps) in the center of the Storm Trooper helmet.
Storm Troopers are the pawn warriors for the Empire and have been a part of the Star Wars franchise since George Lucas created this mammoth of a story in 1977. Audiences aren't given much of a first-hand point of view of these characters-- well, unless you count Luke and Hans Solo disguising as Storm Troopers in A New Hope.
What other gory details do you notice?
3. QUEEN
Probably the talk of the convention was this epic gathering of handmaidens during the Star Wars Celebration. These cosplayers recreated an “Escape From Naboo” train in reference to the scene in Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace during the Fight of Naboo. In this scene, Obi-One and Qui-Gon rescue Queen Amidala and her handmaidens.
At the helm of the group is cosplayer, Jedi Manda posing as Queen Amidala. Behind her are sixteen nearly identical handmaidens. The group walked through the convention in unison, creating a terrific buzz and a memorable moment for many who attended the event.
Jedi Manda is known for creating screen accurate costumes from scratch. She recently debuted a nearly perfect Captain Marvel cosplay and is praised by her followers for her attention to detail. Whether she’s Doctor Strange or Queen Amidala, this cosplayer certainly knows how to turn heads.
2. General Leia
We finally saw the return of Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. After three decades, Fisher reprised her role, but this time returning as General Leia Organa for the New Alliance.
Fisher sadly passed away just a year before the release of The Last Jedi. Many were concerned at how Fisher's character would return for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as Princess Leia is one of the last characters seen at the end of the 2017 film. Fortunately, director JJ Abrams was able to reuse old footage of the late actress so that fans could rest assured that when they see Leia in the next film, it's not CGI.
Thankfully, we also have cosplayers that are able to recreate the persona and look of these beloved characters. At first glance, this photo could be mistaken for Carrie Fisher herself. In fact, this is cosplayer, @lilypond81 who is a spitting image of General Leia from the recent films.
1. Force Ghost Luke Skywalker
In The Last Jedi, we see Luke Skywalker in his final moments (maybe-- but who know with Star Wars). We seem him briefly alongside other late Jedi Masters as a "Force Ghost" and seemingly, the last we will see of this character after 42 years.
This Force Ghost Luke Skywalker cosplay is one of the more inventive cosplays recognized from the Star Wars Celebration in Chicago this year. Cosplayer John Brummet brought this unique idea to life and even caught the attention of Mark Hamill. Hamill, who has played the role of Luke Skywalker since Return of the Jedi, had this to say about the clever cosplay on Twitter,
"Holy Shimmering Skywalker!!! Now THAT's some top-notch #CleverCosplay. #ForceGhostWithTheMost"