Solo: A Star Wars Story premiered in Japan on June 12th at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo. Director Ron Howard and Han Solo himself, Alden Ehreneich, attended the event and signed autographs for many happy fans.
Source: Youtube Solo: A Star Wars Story Japan Premiere || SocialNews.XYZ
Howard Tweeted a picture of eager autograph collectors from the premiere, including well-known Star Warsautograph collector, Shuta Abe.
As responses to the photo grew, Twitter user FakeRonWash asked Howard for his opinion on “signature rackers.”
“Ron, What’s your take on the signature rackers? The guys that show up with pro quality prints, want signatures and just rack ’em up at premieres. Depp told me once a long time ago it didn’t bother him. What’s your take? By the way, loved the film and Cocoon!”
The term “rackers” is common among in-person autograph collectors, but not widely used outside of that niche. I asked the Star Wars Autograph News Facebook group for their thoughts on how best to explain the concept to people who may not be familiar. A racker is someone who gets multiple pictures to be signed from an individual in a public, nonpaid, uncontrolled setting; for example outside of hotel rooms and airports. The term can also be used as a verb, such as “I racked that celeb.” It may or may not refer to someone who is getting the autographs for the sole purpose of reselling them, although in his Tweet Howard refers to those who are.
“Doesn’t bother me either. They’re trying to make some scratch doing something they understand and enjoy – or so I figure.”
While Howard implies he is giving them the benefit of the doubt in regards to their intentions, his opinion varies greatly from that of George Lucas, who’s run-in last year with in-person autograph collectors in Beverly Hills was captured by TMZ. “These people are here to make money,” the Star Wars creator said. “They’re not fans. They don’t care. They just want to make money.”
You can watch the full Social News XYZ video from the Solo premiere in Japan below.
Source: Youtube Solo: A Star Wars Story Japan Premiere || SocialNews.XYZ
Many thanks to the members of the Star Wars Autograph News Facebook page for their contributions to this piece, especially Luke Woolhouse, Darryl Sarna, Rich Rodriguez and Mike Mantich.
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