Well technically, they’re already here. Star Wars has been a staple of cosplay from the beginning. Has there ever been a geek costume so ubiquitous and instantly recognisable as Leia’s metal bikini, after all? The new movies promise to be no different, with a whole new wave of Stormtroopers, droids and lightsaber-wielding goodies and baddies leading the cosplay charge into 2016.
Photo via The 501st Legion
Minor spoilers for Star Wars: TFA follow.
Photo via JJ Armory Inc
So who is going to end up the most cosplayed out of The Force Awakens’ new characters? Is that even a question? Rey. It’s going to be Rey. If you follow more than one cosplayer’s work, it’s likely that you’re following a cosplayer who is planning their Rey cosplay as we speak. For so long, Leia has been a staple for many female (and male) cosplayers, whether they’ve donned the senatorial dress, the metal bikini or even the bounty hunter disguise. Is Leia soon to be handing over the mantle of ‘most cosplayed’ for a new generation of Star Wars cosplayers?
Star Wars cosplay from the 1970s via i09
The Force Awakens is a visual as well as thematic throwback to the original trilogy, and unfortunately this means that the costumed opulence of the prequels will not be replicated either. However, it does resurrect the simplicity of the original trilogy’s design — these are costumes that are instantly recognisable, that can be made in a short amount of time and are accessible to any level of fan. Unlike some of Padme’s more fantastic costume changes, you won’t need an embroidery machine or thousands of beads for these ones.
Rey goes through a single costume change towards the end of the film, and while most cosplayers have made her outfit from the promotional materials, I can’t see it being long before her second outfit is made by hordes of rabid Star Wars fans.
Photo credits: Catlin Cosplay, Aspen Cosplay, Pretty Wreck Cosplay, Lost Weasley ChildPhobos Cosplay
The runner up for most likely to be cosplayed in 2016 isn’t quite as clear cut as the winner, although I’d put my best bet on Kylo Ren. His character might be polarising but his costume is simple, effective and he’s got one of the coolest lightsabers seen since Darth Maul’s double-ended one. Not only that, but his mask means that cosplayers who worry about accuracy don’t have to fret about having a physical resemblance to the character.
Photo via Ghostwaza Cosplay
The Stormtrooper design may have changed but don’t worry — the 501st Legion is on top of it. The charitable fan organisation has long had official and unofficial connections to Lucasfilm, and this may be how they already have full squads of new-era Stormtroopers at the ready. These troopers have already appeared at multiple premieres and screenings across the USA, and even across the world.
Photo via The 501st Legion
A couple of years back I joined the 501st on a troop to the Randwick Children’s Hospital, and was surprised to note that today’s generation of kids, having grown up on the Clone Wars series, were way more familiar with the clone troopers than with the classic Stormtroopers. Never fear — The Force Awakens is here to bring Stormtroopers back to a whole new generation of kids. While Phasma didn’t end up having a huge role in the film, she still has an awesome design, and the cosplays are going to roll out, trash compactor or no.
Photo via MProjects
Maybe it doesn’t count as cosplay, but BB8 has captured the hearts and minds of even the most cynical The Force Awakens viewer, and I’d imagine you’re going to bump into more than a few homebrew rolling astromechs if you venture to any pop culture conventions throughout 2016. Just like the ubiquitous R2-D2 printed dresses that have been popular for some time, I think BB8 is going to end up adorning plenty of nerd apparel in the new year.
Charlotte Something Cosplay by Cat&Crown Artwork
Surprisingly, two of the most popular characters from the new movie are thus far mostly absent in the cosplay world. Poe and Finn, while amazing characters and both a large part of my highlights from The Force Awakens, aren’t as likely to be cosplayed in the year to come.
Photo via JJ Armory Inc
Their costumes simply aren’t as recognisable as others in the film, unless you happen to have a physical resemblance to the actor. Of course, that’s not going to stop everyone. Genderbend Poe, anyone?
Which The Force Awakens cosplays are you most looking forward to seeing next year? Tell us in the comments!
Comments
5 responses to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens Cosplays Are Coming”
My daughter is now desparate to be Rey, so I will be working on that costume over the holidays to go with the full-size build of BB-8 I am attempting, they should make a cute couple.
Will be easier than the ‘Agent Carter as Captain America’ that she came up with last year!
http://imgur.com/a/bnpd7
http://imgur.com/a/UqwxJ
The shield was a lot of work, but was the only useful thing the Foxtel satellite dish ever delivered ;^)
Now I have to wonder what you’re going to pull apart to make BB8…
So far, an old world globe half of which happens to be the right size for the head, a 50cm diameter diffuser light globe thing from our yard lighting, and an old radio control tank, more will no doubt follow, but the 3D printer will be called into play this time….
Sounds awesome! I’m thinking of making one myself, but I think I’ll just recruit my friend’s 3D printer to make the body….
I’m layering the body panels over the globe cover, it is easier that way, and stronger. I’m doing a complete 3D printed version after ironing the bugs out of this one though, I really want to incorporate the opening panels and the lighter!
I’ve estimated the filament alone to come to around 15kg though for a complete printed beastie, so it is going to be costly…
These cosplays are good but I believe I shot the most movie accurate The Force Awakens cosplay photoshoot to date. We battled freezing temperature, a few feet of snow to reenact the final lightsaber battle between Kylo Ren and Rey. I hope you all enjoy
http://www.jasonlaboyphotography.com/The-Force-Awakens-Cosplay-Phot/