Star Warriors ( documentary ) Star Warriors is a 2007 documentary produced by Kevin Burns and Prometheus Entertainment for Lucasfilm Ltd . about the fan organization the 501st Legion and their selection , training , and participation in the Lucasfilm entry for the 2007 Rose Parade . It is bundled with the 2011 " " Blu - ray set , on the ninth disc along with several other documentaries and bonus material . It has a runtime of 84 minutes . This version is updated and slightly longer than the preview version shown at Star Wars Celebration Japan . Description from " Star Wars : The Complete Saga " . " Some " Star Wars " fans want to collect action figures … these fans want to be action figures ! A tribute to the 501st Legion , a global organization of " Star Wars " costume enthusiasts , this insightful documentary shows how the super - fan club promotes interest in the films through charity and volunteer work at fundraisers and high - profile special events around the world . " Description from " Star Warriors " documentary . " They strike fear into the hearts of sentient beings throughout the galaxy . " " Nicknamed “ Vader ’ s Fist , ” the 4 , 000 elite stormtroopers of the 501st Legion are known for conquering their enemies , terrorizing civilians – and . . . opening shopping malls ? " " Well , yes , actually . " " In fact , the members of the 501st are the ultimate “ weekend warriors ” – with an intergalactic twist . Comprised of super - fans who don replica stormtrooper regalia , painstakingly built to exacting standards , they attract attention wherever they go . " " In fact , that ’ s the point much of the time . " " With chartered squads and garrisons around the globe ( unified via their extensive website , www . 501st . com ) , these volunteers with professional - grade costumes attend sci - fi conventions , charity fundraisers and other special events in numbers ranging from 3 to 300 . " " And while they certainly have a sense of humor about being grown - ups who dress up as Star Wars “ bad guys , ” they also have a serious mission : to contribute to their local communities through charity and volunteer work . " " Since their formation in 1997 , they have accepted no appearance fees , but – in the words of their charter – “ [ they ] enthusiastically welcome donations made to [ a ] favorite charity in the name of the 501st Legion . ” " " Now they have another serious mission : 200 of these ultimate fans will earn an honor never before bestowed upon the 501st . " " To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars – and the 10th Anniversary of the 501st Legion – a panel of experts at Lucasfilm Ltd . will review audition tapes and applications from among the thousands of dedicated members around the world . They ’ ll select the best of the best to form an elite honorary battalion to march in the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1 , 2007 . " " Star Warriors , a dynamic documentary special , will chronicle this suspense - filled “ Road to Pasadena . ” It will profile die - hard members of the Legion : some from the United States , others from around the world . All these members share the dream of being selected to march in the famed Rose Parade – and they ’ ll take extraordinary measures to make that dream come true . " " Yasuyuki Sato , Takefumi Tenshima , Shuji Hayashi , and Makiko Sato , who comprise four of the most active members of the Japanese Garrison . Yasuyuki has an international reputation among 501st members for being the first to use professional - grade tools and special effects to create ultra - realistic lightsaber and blaster “ scars ” on his costume . Makiko , on the other hand , is one of the few females in a very male garrison – in a society that expects women to be a bit deferential to men . There could be hard feelings if she gets selected and Shuji or Takefumi don ’ t . " " Legion Founder Albin Johnson , from Columbia , SC who has a very understanding wife and two daughters who will help him prepare for the journey to Pasadena in the weeks and days leading up to the parade . But is it possible that the actual founder of the 501st will be at the parade – as a spectator ? " " Rodney Hall , a San Diego college student , prides himself on building his own costumes from scratch . But homemade may not be up to scratch as the benchmark is raised to meet the keen eyes of the television cameras . " " Stefan Cembolista and his Belgian Garrison work hard on their props and costumes , and party hard at any opportunity . Will his garrison be represented – or will they be out done by their Belgian rivals , the FanWars Garrison ? " " 501st veterans such as Legion Commanding Officer Mark Fordham from Provost , UT and Legion Webmaster Dean Plantamura are very confident that they ’ ll be marching . After all , they ’ re international leaders of the 501st and experts at this . . . Aren ’ t they ? " " Did the hundreds of hours of work pay off ? Are the selected Legion members thrilled beyond belief , suddenly facing the challenge of travel plans for family , friends – and a stormtrooper suit ? " " And while being selected by the Lucasfilm Ltd . panel of judges is the ultimate 501st honor – but it ’ s just the first big hurdle . Now the real work begins . " " Legion veterans and newbies alike have never had the kind of audience and attention they ’ ll be getting on January 1st . The Tournament of Roses parade is broadcast to tens of millions of viewers , in more than 150 countries around the world . Once in Pasadena , the 200 chosen ones will have to come together as a unit very quickly . Many will never have met , let alone marched together . Will they be able to make the cut – and complete the exhausting 5 . 5 - mile march ? " " May the Force be with them … "