Waiting for revenge

For some, Episode III isnt just a movie its an event

By Micheal Compton, mcompton@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3247

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Jereme Dickens and Donna DeRonde got their tickets for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith three weeks ago, but that didnt stop them from waiting in line for 30 hours.

Dickens and DeRonde were just two of the nearly 1,000 people who waited to catch the opening show of the popular science fiction series at the Great Escape 12.

According to Great Escape General Manager Whitney Richardson, the theater made around $72,000 just on ticket sales for the premiere of Sith. Richardson said ticket sales began last month and the last ticket wasnt sold until early Wednesday afternoon.

That ticket was sold well after Dickens and DeRonde first arrived to get in line, but for them the wait wasnt about being the first ones through the door. It was more than that. The atmosphere outside the theater felt more like tailgating at a sporting event with grills and lawn chairs peppered throughout the line.

Some people brought light sabers and some came in costume. There were others who came dressed as their favorite characters.

The frenzy continued in the lobby with a booth set up by Great Escape that featured comics and other Star Wars memorabilia and another booth by EB Games with several different video games.

That festive atmosphere was the main reason Dickens and DeRonde chose to start camping out at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Its not about tickets and its not about the line, said Dickens, a Louisville native. What other movie is going to come out where people are almost OK with people camping out? Its probably not going to happen again so we took advantage of it.

Even though they were first in line, Dickens and DeRonde said they tried not to get too hyped about seeing the film.

Were trying really hard not to have expectations, DeRonde said. We had such high expectations for the first two and it was a huge disappointment.

Others didnt have quite the wait, but used the time to entertain the crowd. Ted Gray of Bowling Green wandered the crowd in a giant Chewbacca costume, walking around on a pair of custom made stilts that made him about 8 feet tall.

Gray said he wore the costume thinking he would compete in a contest sponsored by the theater. That contest isnt taking place until Friday night.

I decided the contest isnt tonight, but I figured I might as well show it off, Gray said. My stepdad actually bought that. The first time I ever saw it I was like Oh my gosh. I cant wait till I can wear that.

Gray added that he couldnt wait to see how the final chapter of the trilogy would wrap up.

I know what is going to happen, he said. I just want to see the course of events that leads up to it.

By the time the crowd filed into the four theaters that were showing Sith, the anticipation was more than evident. Loud cheers began with the previews and continued throughout the film.

The positive reaction continued in the lobby afterwards, with everyone seeming to really enjoy the final chapter.

It was really good, Jay Sizemore from Bowling Green said. Some parts were a little over the top, but it was what I expected and it was worth the wait.

Dickens and DeRonde also thought it was worth the wait.

It was good, DeRonde said. They finally explained everything.

Dickens added: I thought they tied up a lot of (stuff). It was worth it just for the line. The movie could have been a huge disappointment and I would have still been all right.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700