Lamps Plus Inc. has made an appearance in the new Warner Bros. Entertainment film, “Wonder Woman 1984.”The Chatsworth lighting fixture retailer appears in the background of a fictional Virginia indoor mall, according to a release from the company.“The scene is memorable, but in the real world, Lamps Plus has never had a store in an indoor mall or on the East Coast,” the release said.
“But in the DC Universe, the retailer is shown having a successful storefront on the mall’s second level.”Lamps Plus Chief Executive Dennis Swanson said the company wasn’t aware of the store’s placement in the shopping mall scene, which was shot in summer 2018 at the shuttered Landmark Mall in Alexandria, Va.“In a year of unpredictability, we were excited to see a lighting store with our logo in ‘Wonder Woman 1984,’” Swanson said in a statement. “We weren’t aware of this prime placement in the mall scene, but it was a wonderful holiday season surprise.”Lamps Plus was founded in 1976 and by 1984, the chain had about a dozen stores located only in California. The company has grown to have several dozen stores in seven western states as well as a thriving e-commerce business.
“The scene perfectly captures the authenticity of a shopping mall from that era instead of using campy, retro clichés,” Swanson said in his statement. “For some, the scene provides nostalgia of a 1980s mall shopping experience, while for younger audiences, it offers a window into that time. Either way, it’s a fun scene and Lamps Plus is grateful to be included.”The film set had 65 retail stores re-created from the era, according to USA Today. Several of the retailers, such as Waldenbooks, Chess King and B. Dalton Bookseller, are no longer operating, the company’s release said.
The indoor shopping mall had a greater importance to consumers in 1984 than it does today as it was the place where one went to shop as well as socialize and go to the movies, Swanson said.
“While indoor malls are still important now, the internet has replaced some needs,” Swanson said. “We’ve always wondered what it would be like to open an indoor mall store so now we have one, but only inside the ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ story.”“Wonder Woman 1984” was released in U.S. theaters on Christmas and was subsequently made available on Burbank-based Warner Bros.’ streaming service HBO Max.The film, a sequel to a 2017 blockbuster, has brought in $32.6 million in domestic receipts and $132 million in total global box office.