Lansing - When the original “Star Wars” opened 25 years ago, exclusive, sold-out midnight showings were almost unheard of. But today, since the extreme demand for “Star Wars: Episode I -The Phantom Menace” tickets rocked cinemas three years ago, they have become common place.
“We had all three of our showings for Wednesday night and some on Thursday sold out ahead of time,” said Chris Couling, assistant manager at Celebration Cinema, 200 E. Edgewood Blvd. in Lansing. “Plus, I expect this weekend to be the biggest we have had since ‘Spider-Man’ opened” on May 3.
These lines are much worse than the lines for rollercoasters at Cedar Point. They are far more serious than a group of apprehensive thrill-seekers waiting for a rush. These lines are the world of the true “Star Wars” fan on the birthday of “Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.”
With his trusty lightsaber at his side, computer science senior Ken Hoxworth sat patiently on his small cooler, consistently shading his eyes from the blaring sun. It was obvious he takes “Star Wars” seriously.
The last two hours had gone by quickly, but seven were still to come.
“I called the theater at noon to see if anyone was in line for the movie yet,” Hoxworth said. “I was very surprised to find out no one was out here yet.”
His apparent apprentice, Lansing resident Casey Brinegar, stood nearby with arms crossed, escaping the heat just under a small awning at Celebration Cinema.
For them, the midnight premiere of “Episode II” is a very serious matter; enough so to sacrifice a whole day.
“It’s a sacrifice we have to make,” Brinegar said. “I would rather wait out here in the sun for nine hours and be the first ones in the theater than just show up when it seems convenient, and be the last.”
Hoxworth and Brinegar, both of whom waited in line for “Episode I” three years ago, were out in the sun just after 3 p.m. Wednesday, trying to save seats for some six other friends on the way.
“Our main goal is to set aside some seats for our friends,” Brinegar said. “We are all excited for ‘Episode II.’ It seems that ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ has always been the favorite among ‘Star Wars’ fans. And with all the reviews out there comparing the two, I bet this will be the second favorite soon.”
Even with a nine-hour stretch at the front of the line looming over the heads of these two fanatics, it is not the worst they have endured.
“I waited in line for more than 12 hours just to get tickets to ‘Episode I,’” Brinegar said. “And then, I waited another 12 hours to get good seats at the show. Plus, I am way more excited for this movie than that one.”
Although a plastic lightsaber was the only prop in Hoxworth’s possession, he expected - and hoped - to see a lot of people out in full costume, ready to experience George Lucas’ new film.
“I expected to come here and see a huge line of people having lightsaber fights,” Hoxworth said. “But we have been alone so far.”
Couling said this line paled in comparison to the one started just as early in the day three years ago.
“When ‘Episode I’ opened, people wearing costumes started lining up for the midnight show at around 5 o’clock,” Couling said. “We had to make them wait outside. We are planning on doing the same, but this time, our security has made special arrangements to maintain lines for the film.”
Other than the intense lines and crowds expected to form - and besides the standard soundtrack and paperback novel based on the movie - “Episode II” has a lot more to offer.
A whole slew of Hasbro action figures, for example. It would be no surprise to see dozens of fans waiting in line while eating some “Star Wars” Cheerios, or Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, or Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or Cocoa Puffs, or even Corn Chex. They all have some sort of big, blockbuster movie tie-in.
