Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW If we build it, will they come? ... Conventions needing large central spaces are bypassing Medford ... Since You Asked: Serial killer Monica's new long-term address ... If we build it, will they come? ... Conventions needing large central spaces are bypassing Medford ... Since You Asked: Serial killer Monica's new long-term address ... Out in force: Locals line up in Medford for new 'Star Wars' Locals line up in Medford for new 'Star Wars' Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Dec. 17, 2015 at 4:58 PM Updated Dec 17, 2015 at 6:21 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Dec. 17, 2015 at 4:58 PM Updated Dec 17, 2015 at 6:21 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Seen on the Scene: The Force Awakens » Social News Dozens of people and counting are lined up outside Tinseltown in Medford today holding toy lightsabers, sporting costumes, playing games and joyfully waiting for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the next episode in their favorite cinematic adventure. The Sabin family of Grants Pass was the first in line to see the first "2-D" showing at 7 p.m. Larry Sabin was dressed as Han Solo, his wife as Princess Leia, and their two kids, Taylor, 21, as Luke Skywalker, and Nicole, 15, as an Ewok. Taylor arrived at 4:30 this morning to reserve his family's space. "We've been planning that since we got the tickets six months ago," Larry Sabin says, adding the premiere of the seventh "Star Wars" film is a great way to get his family together. At the front of the line for the "3-D" version was Brandon Coulter, on leave from the Navy for the holidays. He warmed up in a sleeping bag at a folding table shared with Heath Davidson, Scott Draper, Brendon Surgeon and Steven Mein. An open Cards Against Humanity box, two toy lightsabers, a Dutch Bros. cup and a MacBook Air playing music were keeping them occupied until their 11:30 p.m. showtime. On the laptop was "Star Wars" episodes one through six, which Coulter says he plans to revisit after sunset. Farther down the line was a group of friends waiting for the first 3-D showing at 8 p.m. Sean Bartlett, 17, of Rogue River, played a game of Sorry! with Medford friend Jesse Jourdan, 20. They also had Uno and a deck of cards, and had been in line since 10:30 a.m. "Originally we were planning to get here at five, but then we woke up and looked at the clock and said, 'How about 10?'" Bartlett says. Bartlett says they've tried to ignore spoilers, reviews and previews. "We blocked it out," he says. "We want to be surprised." James Lucas reserved a space in the 2-D line starting at 4:45 a.m. for Shalon Zimmerman and Zimmerman's daughter, Abby, 17. "She spent her first birthday waiting in line (for "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"), so I had to bring her back," Shalon Zimmerman says. Sean LePaige, wearing a Darth Vader T-shirt, read "Star Wars" Trivial Pursuit cards with Jeremy Holmes of Medford and Erin Galbraith of Ruch. He'd been calling the theater for line updates since 7 a.m. before arriving about 11 a.m. "I couldn't sleep last night," LePaige says. He recalls when he heard about the first "Star Wars" film in 1976 at a Los Angeles "Star Trek" convention attended by George Lucas and Mark Hamill, who showed early footage of the film to attendees. LePaige lived in the Los Angeles area at the time, and a year later, at 19, he lined up with three friends at Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. "We were in our 'Trek' costumes because that's all there was at the time," LePaige says. "Scattered throughout there were other 'Trek' outfits." Watching it become a phenomenon was a surprise. "We knew it was fun," LePaige says. LePaige credits George Lucas for making science fiction and nerd culture part of popular culture. "When I was a kid it wasn't cool to be a nerd, but now it is," LePaige says, looking at the crowd. "And I'm so happy for that." Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Dec. 17, 2015 at 4:58 PM Updated Dec 17, 2015 at 6:21 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501