Star Wars fans line up early
2005-05-16 14:06
London - Dozens of Star Wars fans, some dressed up as characters in the science fiction movie saga, lined up hours early on Monday for a glimpse of the stars heading to the British premiere of the last episode.
George Lucas, who created and directed the series, and Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, who plays Obi-Wan Kenobi, were to arrive around 19:30 for the premiere of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith in London, organisers said
But Yvonne, 26, and Matt Horrocks, 32, dressed as Princess Leia and a Jedi Knight, were among dozens who arrived outside the Odean cinema at Leicester Square, at least 12 hours early.
Horrocks spent 18 months making the costumes and was still busy putting the final touches to them late on Sunday.
The couple from the English coastal city of Brighton, who named their three-year-old daughter Kali-Ann after the film's character Calista, confessed that they had a lifelong obsession.
Horrocks, 26, a childminder, said: "Episode III is what it's all about, the fall of Anakin Skywalker. It's the main part of Star Wars. That's why we are here, to be part of the day."
Good vs evil
She said the six Star Wars movies appealed to fundamental tastes. "It's the classic good and evil. There's something there for everybody - romance, action, fantastic special effects."
Bank manager Dave Baseley, 31, who also dressed up in Jedi garb, also arrived early and hoped to be rewarded with autographs.
"It will be a good 12 hours waiting here and we will be here to the end. It's the last time we will be able to do it," said Baseley, from Orpington, Kent.
"It was the first film I saw at the cinema when I was about five and I have been hooked ever since," he said.
Later, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the first of two special public performances of the Star Wars score in Leicester Square Gardens.
Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin Skywalker, Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Ian McDiarmid, (Palpatine) are also expected at the event in the evening, along with other stars who have been invited but are not associated with the movie.
Revenge of the Sith is the last of three prequels to the landmark trilogy that burst onto the screens in 1977, 1980 and 1983.
It begins with a space battle as Anakin and Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi race across a galactic battlefield to rescue Senator Palpatine from the evil Count Dooku, played by Christopher Lee who will give interviews in the day.
The premiere also marks the 28th anniversary of the original Star Wars film.