Star Wars. The Countdown. 3 Days. (the premieres)
EDITOR'S NOTE: IT AIN'T JUST ME, IS IT? I MEAN, WE ARE ALL DWEEBISHLY A-FLUTTER WITH ANTICIPATION FOR THIS WEEK, RIGHT??!!!
Star Wars fans shell out $500 for Thursday preview
By JUSTIN M. NORTONAssociated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — In the original 1977 film Star Wars, a brash young farm boy named Luke Skywalker parts with his prized speeder to pay for a ride on a spaceship named the Millennium Falcon. Almost three decades later, die-hard fans are parting with $500 to attend a premiere of Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.
Given the high ticket costs at the premieres Thursday in San Francisco and nine other cities — the proceeds go to charity — crowds will likely include well-heeled moviegoers as well as those who pawned vintage action figures to score a ticket. The film opens to the public at midnight showings May 19.
Revenge of the Sith— the last installment the Star Wars series — chronicles Anakin Skywalker's transformation from hero to villain Darth Vader. The film may be the darkest chapter in the Star Wars story, featuring more violence and a story line showing how a democratic government turns into a despotic regime.
"I'd say they (premiere ticket holders) are in for the best movie since the first," said Terry McGovern of San Anselmo, Calif., who voiced a stormtrooper in the original Star Wars.
McGovern saw the film in a private screening for George Lucas' friends and family.
Lucas was expected at the San Francisco premiere. Jake Lloyd, who played the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, also was supposed to attend.
Guests were set to watch a digital version of the film and attend an after-party where they could swat a pinata shaped like the Death Star and munch on "Wookie cookies."
Samuel Jackson, who plays Jedi Master Mace Windu, was slated to attend a Los Angeles red-carpet premiere along with Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams, who starred in the original trilogy.
Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia in the original trilogy — was set to go to the Washington, D.C., premiere. And in Miami, premiere organizers planned to re-create the cantina scene from the original Star Wars.
Lucas has used previous premieres to raise money for charitable causes. Money raised at the San Francisco event will go to the Koret Family House, a group providing housing for seriously ill children seeking treatment away from home.
Past and present meet for Star Wars premieres
By JUSTIN M. NORTONAssociated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Kids dressed like Luke Skywalker. Adults were decked out as stormtroopers. And Star Wars stars past and present soaked up the adulation.
From San Francisco to New York on Thursday, hundreds of Star Wars fanatics turned out in 10 cities and paid up to $500 apiece to attend the premiere of the final film in the series, Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.
In San Francisco, a red carpet lined the side of Sony Metreon theater, where volunteers dressed like stormtroopers, X-wing pilots and bounty hunter Boba Fett. Fans gathered for a glimpse of director George Lucas.
EDITOR'S NOTE: UNCLE GEORGE SIGNS AN AUTOGRAPH AT THE SF PREMIERE.
Lucas, who says he plans to return to experimental films now that the last Star Wars film is completed, introduced the film at each of the Metreon's theaters.
Lucas said he was relieved to see the Star Wars saga end.
"I'm glad that I get to go on and do other things," he said. "It's been 30 years of my life, so it's a lot of time."
Chris James, 36, of Montara, Calif., dressed like an X-Wing fighter pilot and was hoping to score a ticket.
"I think he's (Lucas) going to please the fans and I'm happy that he's going to complete the saga," said James, a software engineer.
At a post-screening party, guests could swat a pinata shaped like the Death Star and munch on "Wookie cookies."
The proceeds from the premieres went to charity. The film opens to the public at midnight showings May 19.
Stars at the New York event included Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Jedi Master Mace Windu, and Liam Neeson, who played Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia in the original trilogy — attended the Washington, D.C., premiere.
When Mark Hamill arrived in Los Angeles, fans burst into cheers. Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original episodes, ran across the street to shake hands and sign autographs.
EDITOR'S NOTE: MARK HAMILL AND WOOKIE FRIEND.
Also present were Jimmy Smits, who plays Sen. Bail Organa in the last two episodes, and John Ratzenberger, who plays Maj. Bren Derlin. Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in previous episodes, also attended.
EDITOR'S NOTE: BAIL ORGANA GOES TO THE MOVIES.
The premiere also drew Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, who said he interviewed for the role of Han Solo in the first Star Wars film but didn't get it. EDITOR'S NOTE: PHEW!
"I met Mr. Lucas when I was 19 years old," Grammer told reporters. "I was a little too young but then two years later I was watching this movie and I said ... 'that was the movie (Lucas) was telling me about,' cause he said, 'We're going to do a fairy tale in space.'"
Bryan Burke, 37, and his 11-year-old stepson Matt Parks — both wielding plastic light sabers — traveled more than 300 miles from Powell, Ohio, for the Chicago screening.
"I think a lot of the Star Wars movies are about father and son bonding," Parks said. "So it's right for me to be here with my dad. This is such a big event for us both."
At Atlanta's Phipps Plaza shopping mall, red carpet patrons entered the theater as white-armored stormtroopers greeted people.
Some children wore little Anakin Skywalker outfits while most of the older fans came in casual attire. But not David Morgan, a 23-year-old massage therapist who dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"I have my Adidas on to match my costume. It looks good, I think," said Morgan, who paid $2,500 for a VIP ticket.
Amy Allen, who plays the Blue Jedi in Episode III, said she's been "waiting for this moment for a very long time."
"It's kind of surreal to be in a movie that I haven't seen before. When we made the movie, I did everything by myself, with a blue and green background. To see it now is going to be great," Allen said.
Moviegoers in suburban Denver were greeted by costumed members of the Rocky Mountain Fan Force, a group of Star Wars fans who appear in costume at charity events.
John Soto Jr., 6, was decked out in a Luke Skywalker costume, swinging a balloon light saber. He told his kindergarten classmates that he was going to the premiere.
"It's kind of neat," his father said. "I grew up when my younger brother was going through the euphoria a lot of kids were going through with Star Wars. Now I get to watch my child enjoy Star Wars the way my brother watched it years ago."
Revenge of the Sith chronicles Anakin Skywalker's transformation from hero to villain Darth Vader. The film may be the darkest chapter in the Star Wars story, featuring more violence and a story line showing how a democratic government turns into a despotic regime.
Lucas has used previous premieres to raise money for charitable causes. Money raised at the San Francisco event will go to the Koret Family House, a group providing housing for seriously ill children seeking treatment away from home.
EDITOR'S NOTE: AND HERE'S A GRATUITOUS RAY PARK AT PREMIERE PIC JUST FOR ODDBOB -
Star Wars fans shell out $500 for Thursday preview
By JUSTIN M. NORTONAssociated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — In the original 1977 film Star Wars, a brash young farm boy named Luke Skywalker parts with his prized speeder to pay for a ride on a spaceship named the Millennium Falcon. Almost three decades later, die-hard fans are parting with $500 to attend a premiere of Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.
Given the high ticket costs at the premieres Thursday in San Francisco and nine other cities — the proceeds go to charity — crowds will likely include well-heeled moviegoers as well as those who pawned vintage action figures to score a ticket. The film opens to the public at midnight showings May 19.
Revenge of the Sith— the last installment the Star Wars series — chronicles Anakin Skywalker's transformation from hero to villain Darth Vader. The film may be the darkest chapter in the Star Wars story, featuring more violence and a story line showing how a democratic government turns into a despotic regime.
"I'd say they (premiere ticket holders) are in for the best movie since the first," said Terry McGovern of San Anselmo, Calif., who voiced a stormtrooper in the original Star Wars.
McGovern saw the film in a private screening for George Lucas' friends and family.
Lucas was expected at the San Francisco premiere. Jake Lloyd, who played the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, also was supposed to attend.
Guests were set to watch a digital version of the film and attend an after-party where they could swat a pinata shaped like the Death Star and munch on "Wookie cookies."
Samuel Jackson, who plays Jedi Master Mace Windu, was slated to attend a Los Angeles red-carpet premiere along with Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams, who starred in the original trilogy.
Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia in the original trilogy — was set to go to the Washington, D.C., premiere. And in Miami, premiere organizers planned to re-create the cantina scene from the original Star Wars.
Lucas has used previous premieres to raise money for charitable causes. Money raised at the San Francisco event will go to the Koret Family House, a group providing housing for seriously ill children seeking treatment away from home.
Past and present meet for Star Wars premieres
By JUSTIN M. NORTONAssociated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Kids dressed like Luke Skywalker. Adults were decked out as stormtroopers. And Star Wars stars past and present soaked up the adulation.
From San Francisco to New York on Thursday, hundreds of Star Wars fanatics turned out in 10 cities and paid up to $500 apiece to attend the premiere of the final film in the series, Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.
In San Francisco, a red carpet lined the side of Sony Metreon theater, where volunteers dressed like stormtroopers, X-wing pilots and bounty hunter Boba Fett. Fans gathered for a glimpse of director George Lucas.
EDITOR'S NOTE: UNCLE GEORGE SIGNS AN AUTOGRAPH AT THE SF PREMIERE.
Lucas, who says he plans to return to experimental films now that the last Star Wars film is completed, introduced the film at each of the Metreon's theaters.
Lucas said he was relieved to see the Star Wars saga end.
"I'm glad that I get to go on and do other things," he said. "It's been 30 years of my life, so it's a lot of time."
Chris James, 36, of Montara, Calif., dressed like an X-Wing fighter pilot and was hoping to score a ticket.
"I think he's (Lucas) going to please the fans and I'm happy that he's going to complete the saga," said James, a software engineer.
At a post-screening party, guests could swat a pinata shaped like the Death Star and munch on "Wookie cookies."
The proceeds from the premieres went to charity. The film opens to the public at midnight showings May 19.
Stars at the New York event included Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Jedi Master Mace Windu, and Liam Neeson, who played Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia in the original trilogy — attended the Washington, D.C., premiere.
When Mark Hamill arrived in Los Angeles, fans burst into cheers. Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original episodes, ran across the street to shake hands and sign autographs.
EDITOR'S NOTE: MARK HAMILL AND WOOKIE FRIEND.
Also present were Jimmy Smits, who plays Sen. Bail Organa in the last two episodes, and John Ratzenberger, who plays Maj. Bren Derlin. Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in previous episodes, also attended.
EDITOR'S NOTE: BAIL ORGANA GOES TO THE MOVIES.
The premiere also drew Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, who said he interviewed for the role of Han Solo in the first Star Wars film but didn't get it. EDITOR'S NOTE: PHEW!
"I met Mr. Lucas when I was 19 years old," Grammer told reporters. "I was a little too young but then two years later I was watching this movie and I said ... 'that was the movie (Lucas) was telling me about,' cause he said, 'We're going to do a fairy tale in space.'"
Bryan Burke, 37, and his 11-year-old stepson Matt Parks — both wielding plastic light sabers — traveled more than 300 miles from Powell, Ohio, for the Chicago screening.
"I think a lot of the Star Wars movies are about father and son bonding," Parks said. "So it's right for me to be here with my dad. This is such a big event for us both."
At Atlanta's Phipps Plaza shopping mall, red carpet patrons entered the theater as white-armored stormtroopers greeted people.
Some children wore little Anakin Skywalker outfits while most of the older fans came in casual attire. But not David Morgan, a 23-year-old massage therapist who dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"I have my Adidas on to match my costume. It looks good, I think," said Morgan, who paid $2,500 for a VIP ticket.
Amy Allen, who plays the Blue Jedi in Episode III, said she's been "waiting for this moment for a very long time."
"It's kind of surreal to be in a movie that I haven't seen before. When we made the movie, I did everything by myself, with a blue and green background. To see it now is going to be great," Allen said.
Moviegoers in suburban Denver were greeted by costumed members of the Rocky Mountain Fan Force, a group of Star Wars fans who appear in costume at charity events.
John Soto Jr., 6, was decked out in a Luke Skywalker costume, swinging a balloon light saber. He told his kindergarten classmates that he was going to the premiere.
"It's kind of neat," his father said. "I grew up when my younger brother was going through the euphoria a lot of kids were going through with Star Wars. Now I get to watch my child enjoy Star Wars the way my brother watched it years ago."
Revenge of the Sith chronicles Anakin Skywalker's transformation from hero to villain Darth Vader. The film may be the darkest chapter in the Star Wars story, featuring more violence and a story line showing how a democratic government turns into a despotic regime.
Lucas has used previous premieres to raise money for charitable causes. Money raised at the San Francisco event will go to the Koret Family House, a group providing housing for seriously ill children seeking treatment away from home.
EDITOR'S NOTE: AND HERE'S A GRATUITOUS RAY PARK AT PREMIERE PIC JUST FOR ODDBOB -
posted by QOTD (the Queen of the Dweebs) at 12:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home