Fanboys 2009

It’s the much-anticipated Halloween party that everyone’s been excited about, offering a chance to connect with friends and fellow Star Wars aficionados. However, the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Linus, a friend who had previously distanced himself from the old gang to embrace adult responsibilities, finds himself back among them. Reuniting is not as straightforward as it seems. Soon, Eric Bottler, Windows, Hutch, and Zoe realize that time is of the essence, as Linus may not live long enough to witness the long-awaited theatrical release of Star Wars: Episode I, which is still months away.

Linus reignites a nostalgic dream he’s had since childhood: breaking into Skywalker Ranch to steal an early print of the movie. Although the idea sounds outlandish, it may be their only chance to fulfill Linus’s wish before it’s too late. Thus, they pile into Hutch’s van and embark on a cross-country journey toward the Ranch.

On Halloween night in 1998, Eric Bottler, played by Sam Huntington, comes together with his high school pals Linus (Christopher Marquette), Hutch (Dan Fogler), Windows (Jay Baruchel), and Zoe (Kristen Bell) at a lively costume party. The reunion carries an undercurrent of tension; Bottler, now a thriving car salesman, realizes that while he has matured, his friends seem to be stuck in their high school ways. Their shared passion for Star Wars remains the one thing that bonds them.

When Hutch and Windows share the devastating news that Linus is terminally ill, with only months left to live, Bottler decides to take action. In an effort to reconnect with Linus, he agrees to execute their childhood scheme of infiltrating Skywalker Ranch.

The next day, their mission faces a detour when Hutch decides to pick a fight with some Trekkies in Riverside, Iowa. This leads to a brawl initiated by Hutch with a Trekkie named Admiral Seasholtz (Seth Rogen), who had the audacity to insult Han Solo. Their adventure takes several unexpected turns, including a meet-up with Harry Knowles (Ethan Suplee), who provides crucial intel about how to access Skywalker Ranch.

As they continue, they encounter trouble with the law, requiring Zoe to come to their aid after they are arrested. She joins them on their escapade, which takes a wild turn in Las Vegas. While Hutch and Windows attempt to have a fling with some girls, Bottler and Linus meet the key to their mission: the legendary William Shatner. He provides the necessary directions, but trouble ensues as the Trekkies, led by Seasholtz, confront them again. The boys also find themselves in a precarious situation with some agitated prostitutes and their aggressive pimp.

After overcoming various obstacles, they finally arrive at Skywalker Ranch. However, they are quickly caught by security. In a surprising twist, the Head of Security (Danny R. McBride) receives a call from George Lucas, who agrees to drop the charges if they can prove their fandom. After a short quiz, they successfully demonstrate their loyalty, and Linus is granted a private viewing of the film.

As Linus watches the movie, the others reflect around a campfire, mending friendships with Bottler and cherishing their shared experiences. Fast forward six months, the group is seen camping out for the first showing of Episode I. Bottler has ventured into becoming a comic book artist, Hutch has launched his own detailing business, and a romance between Windows and Zoe has blossomed. As Hutch arrives with smuggled drinks for a toast in memory of Linus, Bottler humorously muses before the film begins, ”> Hey you guys, what if the movie sucks?”