Star Wars fans wait at wrong theater

Seven weeks before its release, the faithful have come to stand in line at Grouman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood awaiting the final installment of the STAR WARS saga. The problem is: they are at the wrong theater. STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH will be playing at the ArcLight Cinema when it is released May 19. The studio, 20th Century Fox, opted instead to open the film a mile away at the ArcLight theater. But these people aren't to blame. Each of the previous STAR WARS films have premiered at the Chinese Theater since 1977. Who would have ever dreamed that a tradition such as this would be brought down by Hollywood politics. But it has.
As the story goes, the Chinese Theater is partially owned by Paramount Pictures. Paramount Pictures is opening THE LONGEST YARD a week after REVENGE OF THE SITH. Of course, they want to fill their theaters with their film. So tradition be damned! It’s all about corporation! STAR WARS distributor 20th Century Fox obviously had little choice and moved their space saga to the next available venue: The Hollywood ArcLight Cinema.
iF MAGAZINE spoke with representatives at the ArcLight Cinema to get the skinny on STAR WARS’ new home. They were told that the Hollywood “invitation only” premiere of EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, will be held at the Chinese Theater. The ArcLight will then host the film from opening night until the end of the theatrical first-run. As far as obliging those who wish to wait in line for the premiere showing, an ArcLight source has told iF that they will accommodate fans along the Sunset Boulevard entrance, and even hinted at offering special promotions.
Ah, but the dark side has cast yet another shadow over the faithful in line. It seems that waiting in line at the ArcLight doesn’t make much sense, as it is a theater that takes reserved seating only. Perhaps the folks at ArcLight will have a special “line” showing. In any case, people waiting in line should probably carry a cell phone so they can purchase their tickets while waiting outside, or they could be out of luck.