Disney warns that watching ‘Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker’ may be dangerous for some viewers

Disney has issued a rare warning to cinema owners around the world urging them to notify customers that watching the latest instalment in the Star Wars franchise, Rise of Skywalker, may be dangerous for certain viewers.

Set for release on December 20, the J.J. Abrahams-directed feature is said to include a number of visuals and sustained flashing lights sequences that may trigger seizures for Star Wars fanatics with photosensitive epilepsy.

The studio has also notified the Epilepsy Foundation of the possible health risk, which posted an advisory of their own Friday, saying they were working in tandem with Disney to provide additional information for how to prevent a seizure from occurring.

In their letter, Disney said that out of an ‘abundance of caution’ they were recommending that all movie theatres hand out information to customers in person and publish warnings online of Rise of Skywalker’s strobe effects, and how such sequences ‘may affect those who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or have other photosensitivities’.

Set for release on December 20, the J.J. Abrahams-directed feature is said to include a number of visuals and sustained flashing lights sequences that may trigger seizures for Star Wars fanatics with photosensitive epilepsy

For around three percent of people with epilepsy, sustained exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities, or certain visual patterns, can trigger seizures. In other cases, the lights can also trigger migraines.

Disney has not however clarified which specific scenes are said to be the source of concern, or what stage in the movie the reportedly troublesome sequences occur.

The preparations mark a stark contrast to the summer of last year, when Disney was fiercely criticised on social media for failing to notify viewers about the strobe and flashing lighting featured throughout Pixar’s eagerly awaited Incredibles 2.

The Epilepsy Foundation posted an emergency advisory during the film’s opening weekend and urged Disney to do the same, which is subsequently did.

The studio has also notified the Epilepsy Foundation of the possible health risk, which posted an advisory of their own Friday, saying they were working in tandem with Disney to provide additional information for how to stay safe

Around three percent of people with epilepsy, sustained exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities, or certain visual patterns, can trigger seizures. In other cases, the lights can also trigger migraines

However this time around, things were different – and Disney’s pre-emptive measures have drawn praise from the Epilepsy Foundation.

‘We thank Disney for reaching out to us and proactively providing information to movie theaters and moviegoers in advance of the movie’s release,’ the Epilepsy Foundation said on Friday.

‘If you or someone you know are sensitive to lights, please consider the following as you make plans to watch the movie: Ask a friend to watch the movie first; Take your friend with you when you go see the film to alert you to which scenes contain the flashing lights so you block your eyes during those scenes; Teach your friend the three simple steps of seizure first aid — Stay, Safe, Side — so that they can assist if you have a seizure.’

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker opens in theatres internationally on December 20.