Video: Epcot’s Spaceship Earth Transforms into Death Star

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL — Stormtroopers commandeered Epcot’s Spaceship Earth Monday night, “magically” transforming it into the Empire’s feared Death Star right before park-goers’ eyes.

The stunt, which was pulled off courtesy of Disney’s famous Imagineering team, was meant to celebrate the impending release of “Rouge One: A Star Wars Story.” To pull off the transformation, Disney used elaborate digital projections to make Spaceship Earth look like Darth Vader’s planet-destroying Death Star.

“Rouge One” is set to hit theaters on Dec. 16, featuring Danish actor of “Hannibal” fame Mads Mikkelsen in a lead role. The after-hours hijacking of Spaceship Earth was staged during a Disney Parks Blog meetup. Those lucky enough to have witnessed the spectacle live were also treated to a surprise visit by Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen’s Galen Erso is a scientist forced by the Empire to help finalize plans for the Death Star.

“Rogue One” is the “first of the Star Wars standalone films,” its website explains. The story follows a “group of unlikely heroes” that come together on a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star, “the Empire’s ultimate weapon of destruction.” Advance tickets for the show are available at theaters across the country with some offering special promotions, as well. A rundown of theaters can be found online here.

Disney inked a $4 billion deal with George Lucas back in 2012 to purchase Lucasfilm and its epic “Star Wars” franchise. Since the deal went through, characters such as Princess Leia and Han Solo have become as commonplace at Disney properties as Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

As “Rouge One’s” launch date nears, Disney has also announced plans to update its Star Wars Launch Bay with props from the movie. A new Star Wars guided tour is also in the works, among other changes at the Orlando area resort’s parks.

Screenshot and video courtesy of Disney Parks YouTube channel