Sideshow Team Member Troops with 501st to Escort Diego Luna

Talk about Letting Your Geek Sideshow!

It should come as no surprise that Sideshow is staffed by passionate fans dedicated to connecting other passionate fans with the characters they love. Both on and off the clock, Sideshow team members spend their time geeking out with their own favorite fandoms through hobbies like art, catching up on the latest shows and movies, cosplay, and more.

And for Brand Coordinator Chris Spearman, his love for Star Wars™ and costuming became an extra special opportunity to share his fandom as an official member of the fan-based 501st Legion.

Disney After Dark: Star Wars Nite

This past weekend, Disneyland had its own celebration for May the 4th, Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite, which included a surprise visit from actor Diego Luna, better known for his role as Cassian Andor in Star Wars: Andor™ and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story™. Luna was escorted to the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle by dozens of 501st Legion members dressed in their Imperial finest.

From screen-accurate Stormtroopers and TIE Fighter Pilots to Imperial Officers, the costumed escort immersed visiting Star Wars fans in an exciting experience which culminated in a “Welcome to the Rebellion” projection show played across the front of the castle.

When they took their places at the stage, Chris ended up being even closer to the action than he expected. He had this to share about the evening:

I had the pleasure of marching with the 501st Legion at Disneyland during Star Wars Nite on May 4th, and we had the honor of escorting special surprise guest Diego Luna. Dressed as one of the Imperial Officers, I ended up being front and center with Diego while he was on stage. It was such a surreal experience!

I am thankful for Disney and Lucasfilm giving me and other members of the 501st Legion this incredible opportunity.

The 501st Legion

The 501st Legion, also known as Vader’s Fist, is a worldwide fan costuming organization. Their philosophy of “Bad Guys Doing Good” has led to numerous charity outreach initiatives, giving Star Wars fans a place to engage with other fans and the larger community while upholding rigorous standards of costuming excellence.

Chris first joined the 501st Legion costuming organization in September 2007 and goes by call sign “Challenger” while wearing his many detailed and complex costumes. He has not only the Imperial Officer uniform, but also completed armor builds like a 181st TIE Pilot, a Biker Scout, an Imperial Gunner, and more. Chris even has several bespoke trading cards featuring his costumes on them.

Known around the office for his sheer dedication to Star Wars fandom, everyone at Sideshow was surprised and thrilled to see Chris have this opportunity to be a part of something so unique and geeky! We asked Chris what the 501st Legion and his costuming hobby means to him:

As a Star Wars fan, the 501st Legion allows me to give back to the community and support local charities while wearing the most highly detailed, movie-accurate costumes. It’s rewarding to see people with smiles on their faces when we show up to a special event.

This is truly the perfect embodiment of the “Let Your Geek Sideshow” idea, and we couldn’t be more excited for Chris Spearman and all of the passionate fans in the 501st who got to participate in Star Wars Nite at Disneyland!

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How Do You Let Your Geek Sideshow?

Whether you do cosplay, collect figures, or throw themed movie premiere parties, what other fun and exciting ways do you Let Your Geek Sideshow? Did you attend the Star Wars Nite event at Disneyland and spot Sideshow’s own among the Imperial ranks?

Join the conversation with other Star Wars fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!