'Fanboys' - a love letter to 'Star Wars' fans

Delfin Vigil, Chronicle Staff Writer

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If the phrases "scruffy-looking nerf herder," "stay on target" and "I thought they smelled bad on the outside" have special meaning for you, there's a good chance that the film "Fanboys" will, too.

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Set in the suburban Midwest of 1998, "Fanboys" follows a group of obsessive "Star Wars" fans who hit the road to the Bay Area with a plot to break into George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch and attempt to steal an unreleased copy of "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace."

"Fanboys" is directed by Kyle Newman and stars Jay Baruchel (the least-narcissistic character from "Tropic Thunder" and the goofy boxer Danger in "Million Dollar Baby"), Sam Huntington (TV's "Cavemen"), Chris Marquette (TV's "Joan of Arcadia"), Dan Fogler ("Balls of Fury") and "Gossip Girl" Kristen Bell (the title character in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"). The film mixes humorous proud-to-be-geeky elements with the serious fate of one of the friends, Linus (Marquette), who has terminal cancer. Cameos from Seth Rogen, William Shatner, Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian in "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back") and original Princess Leia Carrie Fisher add to the self-deprecating fun.

We checked in with Bell, 28, who plays Zoe, the fanboys' only friend who happens to be a girl. By e-mail, she shared some of her thoughts about the new film, as well as the mojo of "Star Wars" character Chewbacca the mighty Wookiee.

Q: At what point did it occur to you that you wanted to act in this film?

A: I first met Kyle, the director, who was, for lack of a better word, "geeked" about the script. After reading it, I thought it was so special and pretty accurately portrayed a group of people who live and breathe for "Star Wars." I thought it would be a cool love letter to "Star Wars" fans.

Q: Which scene was the hardest to complete without laughing?

A: Every scene the boys had me rolling. And my character is so sarcastic and cynical they made it very hard to keep a straight face.

Q: Roughly what percentage of the esoteric "Star Wars" jokes did you understand before getting involved with "Fanboys"?

A: Ha ha ha! Not many. But living alongside only "Star Wars" references for two full months, I can now say I understand about 75 percent of it all.

Q: "Star Wars" fans are a tough breed. What kind of feedback have you received from those who have seen previews? Anything surprising?

A: It's amazing how much heart "Star Wars" fans have. They came out of the woodwork and helped us with costumes and hard-to-find props and were extras in the film. I feel bad they have been waiting so long for it to be released.

Q: Was your preparation for this role any different from what you've done for your other films? Did you watch all of the "Star Wars" movies?

A: I did watch all of the original "Star Wars" movies before starting to film, and it is obvious why they are still so popular.

Q: From what we've heard, there were several alternate endings. Was the final one your favorite, or is there another one you especially like that we can look forward to seeing on the DVD?

A: There are two versions of the film. In the original script, Linus has cancer and that is the catalyst for breaking into Skywalker Ranch: one last road trip. Some people felt that was too heavy, and (the script) was revised and we reshot some scenes so he is not sick but gets a slight concussion from a car accident on the road trip.

Q: Do you have a favorite memory or anecdote from being on the set of "Fanboys"?

A: Well, my least favorite memory would have to be the scene in which Hutch (Fogler) was scraping his toe jam off on the bed and flicking it at me. Because it was not prop toe jam.

Q: Hypothetical scenario: You're a senior in high school. Boba Fett, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian all ask you to be their date to the prom. Whose invitation do you accept?

A: I would accept Chewie's invite. Because he makes me laugh, and he looks like he's a great cuddler.

Fanboys (PG-13) opens Friday at Bay Area theaters.

To see a trailer for "Fanboys," go to links.sfgate.com/ZFXG.

E-mail Delfin Vigil at dvigil@sf chronicle.com.