What you can — and can't — wear to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"

When "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens Dec. 17, at least two movie theater chains with Springfield cinemas are regulating the costumes fans are allowed to wear.

"Wehrenberg Theatres welcomes guests to dress in costume for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,'" the parent company of Springfield's Campbell 16 Cine said in a news release issued Tuesday. "Please note for security and the comfort of other guests, we do not permit masks, face paint or simulated weapons, including light sabers or blasters."

No Stormtrooper helmets. No face-painting like the devil-red Darth Maul. You can dress as Princess Leia (aka General Organa, in the new "Star Wars" movie) or Han Solo — but no toy blasters to complete the look. Obi-Wan Kenobi? Anakin Skywalker? Totally cool, just no weapon-like accessories.

Dallas-based Starplex, which owns Springfield 11, implemented a similar policy after many would-be "Star Wars" guests called and emailed asking about acceptable costumes, said Traci Hoey, marketing director.

"We pretty much have that same policy (as Wehrenberg's): No face masks, partial or full, no simulated weapons," Hoey said.

Regal Entertainment Group, corporate parent of downtown Springfield's Regal Cinemas College Station 14, did not respond to News-Leader requests for information on movie theater costume policies.

Asked why St. Louis-based Wehrenberg was limiting costumes, vice-president of marketing Kelly Hoskins said, "I think you know the reasoning. I think we all do. It's to make sure we are in a safe environment, and everyone feels safe."

When pressed on whether the move was in response to active shooter incidents such as one in a Colorado movie theater in 2012, Hoskins said, "It's basically, we just never have allowed masks. It’s really a reiteration of what we already do."

It's not like Wehrenberg staff kicks out moviegoers attending with pretend light sabers and blaster guns. "We stop them at the door, and they have to take it back out to their car," Hoskins said. "That's pretty much how they do it."

Hoey said active shooter incidents had "not specifically" come up in discussions about the costume policy at Starplex, but with so many customers asking about it, "we wanted give everybody the same response."

"I'm sure it's something we'll maintain and continue even past 'Star Wars,'" Hoey said.

Hoskins said tickets for the "Star Wars" premiere next week are selling briskly, and she hopes people wear costumes to share their fandom. "We do have a whole group of wonderful people who want to share their passions," she said.