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Bridgerton, Batman, and Dinosaur Puppets Walk into a World Heritage Site… What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

7 Aug 2025

The Old Royal Naval College and Elstree Studios are teaming up to mark a hundred years of British film with an attempt at a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as film and TV characters. On paper, it sounds like a grand homage to the nation’s screen heritage. In reality, it feels a little like someone handed the keys to a costume shop and said, “Go on then – make it a day to remember.”

This event might offer a few memorable moments and certainly an opportunity for some spectacular Instagram shots

The venue itself is a treat. The Old Royal Naval College, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has graced more film credits than most actors could dream of. Elstree, meanwhile, is the venerable studio where legends like Star Wars and Indiana Jones were made. Together, they hope to unite costumed Star Wars extras, Bridgerton dandies, and a motley crew of superheroes in what will probably feel like a giant, slightly sweaty cosplay photo shoot.

Participants can pick characters from a roster that reads like a mid-2000s cinema trivia quiz – Captain Jack Sparrow, Batman, Sherlock Holmes, even Paddington Bear and Roger Rabbit get a shout-out. To count towards the record, costumes must include certain outfit and prop elements – so no turning up in jeans claiming to be Thor. VIP ticket holders, at £13.50 in advance, get access to film prop stations, a walking tour, and a rare exhibition of vintage posters. The rest of the crowd can enjoy roaming entertainment, giant games, and dinosaur puppets. Yes, dinosaur puppets. How exactly they fit into the elegant Painted Hall is anyone’s guess.

The press release is vague on participant numbers, judging criteria, or what happens if you turn up as an unapproved character. Such ambiguity suggests the organisers are counting on the spectacle to distract from logistical uncertainty. Still, it promises a family-friendly day out, with free activities alongside the record attempt. If you tire of trying to look convincingly like a Bridgerton extra, there’s always the silent disco or a themed film afternoon tea – presumably to help you recover from the odd sense of having been part of a slightly awkward historic moment.

This is billed as a landmark celebration of UK screen culture – an ambitious gesture from two institutions that sit at opposite ends of the production spectrum. Yet there is a faint whiff of desperation, as if the organisers worry that a century of film history alone won’t draw a crowd without costumes and a Guinness certificate.

At the very least, this event should offer a few memorable moments and plenty of opportunities for spectacular Instagram shots.

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