Fermilab Accelerator Operator Duane Newhart gets into character as a member of the Empire in a scene from the fan film “Star Wars: Forgotten Realm.”
UPDATE: This event is full. Thank you!
A long time ago (well, 2006) in a galaxy far, far away (well, the Chicago suburbs), a Fermilab employee named Darren Crawford set out on a quest to create his own Star Wars fan film. Now, nearly 10 years later, Crawford’s movie is finished, and the public is invited to join him for a free premiere screening on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. The event takes place in Wilson Hall’s Ramsey Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Fermilab has created a Science of Star Wars Night around the screening. Scientist C.Y. Tan will present a talk about the science underpinning the science fantasy, and astrophysicst Brian Nord will offer a look at the physics of hyperspace. These fun and informative presentations will precede the premiere of the film.
“Forgotten Realm,” a private project undertaken by Crawford on his own time, was partially filmed at Fermilab and stars many Fermilab employees.
The decade-long effort to complete the film included years of editing and computer graphics work. The finished movie includes lightsaber duels, skirmishes in space and Stormtroopers galore, aided by the 501st Legion Midwest Garrison, a group of superfans who create their own authentic props and costumes. Since the movie is an unofficial fan production, the entire cast and everyone involved with the making of the film volunteered their time and effort.
“For anyone who knows Fermilab, there will be a few Easter eggs to discover in the movie,” Crawford said. “But we also have great space battles and everything one expects of a Star Wars movie.”
An imperial clone trooper stands in the Fermilab prairie while filming scenes for unofficial fan-film “Star Wars: Forgotten Realm.”
And in a coincidence Crawford couldn’t have engineered, his film takes place at roughly the same point in the Star Wars timeline as “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which will be released around the world six days after the premiere of “Forgotten Realm.” Both movies exist in the gap of time between Episodes III and IV, when the Empire is building the first Death Star and the rebellion is just getting off the ground.
Following the screening, “Forgotten Realm” will be available to watch for free online. Most of the cast and crew will attend the Dec. 10 premiere screening, and if you want to dress in costume, you won’t be alone. If you’re interested in attending, hurry you should. Limited seating is. Now open free registration is.
“Forgotten Realm” is an unofficial fan film that is not intended for commercial use and does not derive any revenue or profit. This fan film is not connected in any way to Lucasfilm Ltd. or The Walt Disney Company.