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[RustyNails]

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Fans Are Already Lining Up

LOS ANGELES – Marilyn Monroe and Freddy Krueger were trying not to look annoyed. But their mood was obvious on Monday afternoon as tourists paid little heed to the celebrity impersonators on Hollywood Boulevard, instead focusing their curiosity on more than 100 people camped out in the courtyard of the historic Chinese Theater.

No. It couldn’t be. Seriously?

“We’re lining up for the new ‘Star Wars’ movie,” an Australian woman at the front of the queue, Caroline Ritter, told an incredulous-looking couple visiting from Ohio who stopped to inquire and take photos. “Yes, we still have a very long time to wait,” Ms. Ritter added. “No, we’re not crazy.”

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will arrive at the TCL Chinese Theater Imax, as the site is now officially called, on the evening of Dec. 17 — meaning that Ms. Ritter and her fellow die-hards will have waited for 12 unwashed days before the first light sabers flicker to life. (They began to assemble here on Saturday afternoon.) The question, especially in the age of reserved movie theater seating, is why.

Even with hundreds of opening-weekend show times for “The Force Awakens” already sold out, analysts predict there will be more than enough seating capacity on opening weekend. For instance, AMC Theaters, the second-largest multiplex chain in North America (behind Regal Entertainment), last week said that 1,600 opening-weekend screenings were sold out, but that 3.5 million tickets remained available. At least 36 AMC theaters will run “The Force Awakens” around the clock.

It’s just not like the old days, when movies were shipped on reels and people could buy tickets only at box office windows. Most theaters now sell tickets online — many offering reserved seating — and rely on digital projectors, which means the number of screenings can be more easily adjusted to meet demand.

But that’s missing the point, the “Star Wars” campers said Monday.

“At night you freeze and in the daytime you cook, but you come for the camaraderie and the chance to be a part of cinematic history,” said Erik Murillo, who was sitting in a lawn chair near two large plastic crates packed with supplies (clothes, food, a tent). “Besides, there are traditions to be upheld.”

The Chinese Theater holds a special place in the “Star Wars” pop culture galaxy. The first “Star Wars” movie was only booked into about 30 theaters in May 1977 in part because some executives at 20th Century Fox were skeptical of the film’s box office potential. Instead, swarms of people turned out; the throngs were especially large outside the Chinese, which has long been a symbol of Hollywood, helping to generate global news coverage.

Ever since then, particularly in 1999, with the arrival of “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace,” camping out here became just another part of the pageantry that accompanies each “Star Wars” release. In 2005, in anticipation of “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith,” fans started lining up at the Chinese six weeks in advance. (As it turned out, however, Fox had not booked “Revenge of the Sith” into the Chinese, so they were waiting in line for nothing; whoops.)

“We made sure not to make that mistake again,” said Stefanie Vance, who was in line here Monday with her daughter, Amanda.

Theaters everywhere have been preparing for similar lines, advising fans in advance that costumes are fine, but masks, face paint and space weapons are not. Extra security will be in place at some theaters to manage crowds.

Here at the Chinese, the line experience is all very civilized, insisted Ms. Vance, who was dozing near a sign that read, “The line awakens!” There are rules — tents must be erected by midnight and dismantled by 6 a.m. — and there is a system that allows people to leave for short periods while keeping their place in line; fans take turns managing a clipboard system for checking in and checking out.

Everyone wears a name badge, and some fans created a line-related website. They even have a charity partner, Starlight Children’s Foundation, which is focused on helping seriously ill children and teenagers. (Those gawking tourists are encouraged to contribute to the foundation by sending text messages; some give cash on the spot.)

There is rarely a dull moment, however, on Hollywood Boulevard, land of roaming costumed characters, colorful panhandlers and the occasional person trapped in an alternate mental dimension. “The other night, somebody dropped off two live rabbits and disappeared,” Mr. Murillo said. “What are we supposed to do with two live rabbits?” (City employees were called to deal with them.)

Despite their intense fandom, the people lined up outside the Chinese do seem to have their limits. When a reporter mentioned that a Texas-centered theater chain was holding an endurance contest involving a marathon screening of the previous six “Star Wars” movies (no sleeping allowed), Ms. Vance made a skeptical face.

“That sounds unpleasant,” she said.

 

[gutter_trash]

obligatory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RGohIKxc9M

 

[LookAtMeGo]

Thank god for reserve seating.

 

[Sephzilla]

 

[Ray Wonder]

God if this movie is bad people are going to freak

I couldn't imagine waiting ten days in line to do anything. At all.

 

[Fbh]

So does this particular theatre not allow to buy online tickets with seat reservations?

 

[harSon]

I'm off work from December 18th to January 4th, so I'll just catch it on some random week day with some friends. There's no way in hell I'm going to see it that first weekend Lol.

 

[Dead]

lol

Thank Satan for reserved seating

 

[adj_noun]

Back in my day they lined up a month and a half in advance for Phantom Menace!

Uphill in the snow!

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

I'll go 3 or 4 days after opening. No chance I'm going to deal with crazies on opening night.

 

[G-Fex]

God if this movie is bad people are going to freak

I couldn't imagine waiting ten days in line to do anything. At all.

That'd be funny.

 

[thecouncil]

how can your time be worth so little?

 

[BronsonLee]

Arrest them
Arrest them all!

 

[Skellig Gra]

What time do their mommies bring them dinner?

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

For a second I thought they were lining up for the red carpet premiere.

These cinemas need to sort their shit out. How do you still have unreserved seating, especially for this film?

Also they need to find a better way to spend their time.

 

[Savitar]

I expected it much sooner to start.

The prequels did indeed do much damage and lower commitment for people to see the films.

 

[strafer]

the only movie I've been in line for was The Two Towers.

a week in line. Shifts.

It was not the greatest time in my life but damn....it was worth it.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

My heart goes out to whoever sits next to them

 

[notworksafe]

Why? I assume they got tickets already so this is kind of pointless.

 

[Altairre]

I like Star Wars but come on now. Don't do that.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Back in my day they lined up a month and a half in advance for Phantom Menace!

Uphill in the snow!

I'd say "wow imagine their disappointment" but super hardcore Star Wars fans tend to blindly like anything Star Wars related. They probably loved that shit. Ugh.

 

[ClosingADoor]

will have waited for 12 unwashed days

That's going to be one stinking theater.

 

[Arkeband]

"Why? So we can be really stinky and make the first showing really unpleasant for everyone involved."

 

[siddhu33]

Is anyone doing the strategy where you line up for popular things for days in advance, and then trade your place at the front of the queue to someone else for money?

 

[Guevara]

Imagine sitting in the theater with these jokers, after they spend 10 days and nights outdoors.

"I thought they smelled bad on the outside!"

 

[Ithil]

It's not friggin going anywhere dudes. It's gonna be in theatres for months.

 

[RPGCrazied]

I mean, I like star wars like the next man. But I can just as easy wait for the bluray.

 

[OricWindstar]

Is that fucking Gallagher on the right in that picture?

 

[cacildo]

meaning that Ms. Ritter and her fellow die-hards will have waited for 12 unwashed days before the first light sabers flicker to life.

For some reason i read this and imagined the Star Wars 7 intro like Rocky IV

But with lightsabers instead of the gloves

Could someone make this as a gif?

 

[RustyNails]

I expected it much sooner to start.

The prequels did indeed do much damage and lower commitment for people to see the films.

I'm pretty sure it started a couple of weeks ago since there are a hundred people there already.

 

[Ahasverus]

If I was that theater I'd be like "oh hell naw" and send the police to those future sitinky asses.

 

[Scientist Supreme!]

Nerds.
smh

 

[LookAtMeGo]

They arent even dressed in Star Wars outfits. Fucking posers.

 

[Ray Wonder]

That'd be funny.

It would almost be worth it to see what would happen.

 

[BigJonsson]

Is anyone doing the strategy where you line up for popular things for days in advance, and then trade your place at the front of the queue to someone else for money?

I know someone who lined up early in the morning for an iPhone launch and sold his spot for a few hundred dollars lol

 

[Zukuu]

Er, how about you just buy some tickets? Wtf why wait 12 days? Can't you buy them in advance in the US?

 

[Nose Master]

Not going to lie, makes me wish I was into Star Wars. Being that deep into a fandom has got to be a fucking wild ride.

EDIT: It's part of the hype train, man. That line, if it's anything like most nerd-hype lines, is basically going to be a 10-day party. Walking in at 6pm the evening of doesn't compare.

 

[Carl2291]

Waiting in lines for the cinema?

Booked tickets and seats in advance over here. Midnight showing. Huzzah.

 

[adj_noun]

I'd say "wow imagine their disappointment" but super hardcore Star Wars fans tend to blindly like anything Star Wars related. They probably loved that shit. Ugh.

They were hit as hard as anybody. There was some justification/denial, sure, but I'd describe it more as a resigned sadness than really freaking out or getting angry. Back then we didn't have social media to whip people into quite as much of a rage spiral though.

The most euphoric moment was when the Star Wars logo showed up on the screen. People went nuts, waved their lightsabers around and everything.

Then the opening crawl about taxes and trade routes started and the Great "Huh?" began.

 

[Gandalf]

the only movie I've been in line for was The Two Towers.

a week in line. Shifts.

It was not the greatest time in my life but damn....it was worth it.

I like you.

Seems crazy to me that there's no reserved seating. Don't think I've ever been to a Cinema without it.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Er, how about you just buy some tickets? Wtf why wait 12 days? Can't you buy them in advance in the US?

You can definitely buy them in advance.

 

[Ray Wonder]

Er, how about you just buy some tickets? Wtf why wait 12 days? Can't you buy them in advance in the US?

So they can get an article written about them, and we can all talk about them

 

[Fuu]

I don't even know how many years it has been since the last time I went to a theater that didn't offer reserved seats.

 

[RPGCrazied]

Er, how about you just buy some tickets? Wtf why wait 12 days? Can't you buy them in advance in the US?

Well, the lines the day it opens will be long, very long. They want to be the first in the theater for whatever reason.

 

[G-Fex]

It would almost be worth it to see what would happen.

Indeed.

I'd love to see the large backlash, especially on gaf.

It'd be like when people whined about MGSV

 

[Sealed]

they're going to stay there for two nights?

that's absurd.

edit: OH Shit, it's not this friday it's next friday

even more ridiculous

they'll probably be disappointed

 

[enigmatic_alex44]

Can't wait for the fumes and meltdowns when this film bombs critically and comes up short of Jurassic World @ the box office.
Enjoy your 10 days in your lawnchairs peeing into a water bottle I guess

 

[What A Time To Be Alive]

lol defiently not seeing the movie first weekend i can wait a couple days

 

[Zukuu]

So they can get an article written about them, and we can all talk about them

That's some meta shit. Still, I dunno if it's worth 12 days of doing nothing, living on the street and being bored beyond death.

 

[Ahasverus]

“We made sure not to make that mistake again,” said Stefanie Vance, who was in line here Monday with her daughter, Amanda.

OH COME ON