Fanboys is a 2008 film directed by Kyle Newman and starring Sam Huntington, Chris Marquette, Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, and Kristen Bell.
Fanboys is a fan film from New Zealand that made its debut on the internet in 2003. Set a few days before the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999, the film follows a Star Wars fan who is recruited by a group of rebels, seemingly from the real Star Wars universe, to steal a copy of the film before its release to aid their cause. However, their motives and backstory turn out to be even more interesting, and many humorous situations and double-crosses ensue.
The film both pokes fun at and shows affection towards die-hard fans of all kinds, and has proved popular with audiences online.
The film was directed by Peter Haynes, who followed up this film in 2004 with Feel the Force, a mockumentary about Jedi street preachers in Auckland, New Zealand.
The film's lead actor, Andrew Glover, was later cast in the role of the title monster in the 2004 horror film Boogeyman.
Every fanbase has its darkside...
Originally Jorge Garcia (I) was attached to play Harry Knowles, but scheduling conflicts with "Lost" (2004) caused him to turn down the role. Then, Kevin Smith (I) stepped in and was reportedly very enthusiastic, but some last-minute editing for Clerks II (2006) forced him to step down.
The scene with the "Star Trek" (1966) fans in full costume dedicating the Captain William T. Kirk birthplace statue as they confront the Star Wars fans was shot on location in the Town Square Park Plaza of Las Vegas, New Mexico. You can see the historic Plaza Hotel in the background in certain shots.
The passenger side door of the van has the word "fanboys" written on it in the Star Wars Aurebesh alphabet and mirrored.
