Star Wars Fan Says Man Punched Him In The Face For Using His Phone In Rise Of Skywalker Screening

A man claims he was punched by an irate Star Wars fan after he checked his phone during a screening of Episode IX.

The incident unfolded at a theatre in Vancouver at the opening night of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker just minutes into the movie.

Joe Bond says he had gone to the cinema with his wife and he only checked his phone as he was worried about his two young children who were at home with a babysitter for the first time.

Bond said the man sat near him had already told off a different man who had used his phone to record the opening credits.

But he then spotted Bond checking his phone and 'lost it'.

Speaking to CTV News, Bond said: "He lost it at me. I told him to calm down and if he doesn't calm down then I was going to get somebody - and then he hit me in the face."

He added: "Star Wars fans are very serious people, but I think this guy was on the next level."

A fellow cinema-goer recorded the alleged attacker launching into a sweary rant.

In the clip, he can be heard shouting: "Turn your phone off. Use your f***ing heads."

He then repeatedly shouted for people to 'switch your phones off'.

He then added: "You f****** losers with your f****** phones. I waited a God d**n year for this, so some a**hole can turn his phone on next to me?!"

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Cinema staff can be seen gathered around him as other members of the audience boo and shout at the man to 'get out'.

The clip, shared by David Boyce, was captioned: "This dude lost it when someone checked their phone screen during the opening of Star Wars. The theatre was forced to restart the movie from the beginning. The irony was beautiful."

Police were called out to the scene, but the man had already left.

Constable Tania Visintin told the news outlet: "We were unable to locate the suspect. Video footage of the theatre is being reviewed and an investigation is underway."

A spokesperson from the cinema where the incident happened said: "The safety and security of our employees and guests is always our top priority. If a police report is filed, we will do everything we can to assist with their investigation as well."

Topics: World News, TV and Film

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19