WINTERCON 2015 SHOWCASES DIVERSITY AND COSPLAY OF NEW STAR WARS FILM

Cosplay fan shows off lightsaber skills of Rey from new Star Wars film

Last weekend, the 2015 Wintercon Comic Book & Sci Fi expo brought the far, far away galaxy of Star Wars to the Resorts World Casino in Jamaica Queens.

The two-day event marked the pop culture convention's second annual return to the welcoming suburbs of Queens.

This year's extravaganza kept attendees busy with art shows, Cosplay groups, and plenty of toys and collectibles. Special appearances included Nichelle Nichols from the cast of the original Star Trek series, Michael Biehn from the Terminator and Aliens film franchises and a host of other guests.

Star Wars fans were entertained by shows, figurines, comics, toys and cosplayers masquerading as their favorite film characters.

"This is what this is all about," said one cosplayer, who's Darth Vader costume bore a stunning resemblance to the movie villain's. "It's all about having fun."

The new Star Wars film has received both criticism and praise for its level of diversity, casting a Black male lead and female protagonist in roles that were dominated by white men in the previous six installments. Only actor Billy Dee Williams was given a substantial speaking role in the first trilogy with actor James Earl Jones providing voice-over for Darth Vader's character.

"I don't care as much about the casting as I do the characters," a Wintercon guest said. "As long as it entertains, that's all that counts."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theater Friday Dec 18.