‘Star Wars’ fans turn out for premieres

updated 2:49 p.m. ET May 13, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO - Kids dressed like Luke Skywalker. Adults were decked out as stormtroopers. And "Star Wars" stars past and present soaked up the adulation.

From San Francisco to New York on Thursday, hundreds of "Star Wars" fanatics turned out in 10 cities and paid up to $500 apiece to attend the premiere of the final film in the series, "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith."

In San Francisco, a red carpet lined the side of Sony Metreon theater, where volunteers dressed like stormtroopers, X-wing pilots and bounty hunter Boba Fett. Fans gathered for a glimpse of director George Lucas.

Lucas, who says he plans to return to experimental films now that the last "Star Wars" film is completed, introduced the film at each of the Metreon's theaters.

Lucas said he was relieved to see the "Star Wars" saga end.

"I'm glad that I get to go on and do other things," he said. "It's been 30 years of my life, so it's a lot of time."

Chris James, 36, of Montara, Calif., dressed like an X-Wing fighter pilot and was hoping to score a ticket.

"I think he's (Lucas) going to please the fans and I'm happy that he's going to complete the saga," said James, a software engineer.

More 'Wookie cookies'?
At a post-screening party, guests could swat a pinata shaped like the Death Star and munch on "Wookie cookies."

The proceeds from the premieres went to charity. The film opens to the public at midnight showings May 19.

Stars at the New York event included Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Jedi Master Mace Windu, and Liam Neeson, who played Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace." Carrie Fisher — Princess Leia in the original trilogy — attended the Washington, D.C., premiere.

When Mark Hamill arrived in Los Angeles, fans burst into cheers. Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original episodes, ran across the street to shake hands and sign autographs.

Also present were Jimmy Smits, who plays Sen. Bail Organa in the last two episodes, and John Ratzenberger, who plays Maj. Bren Derlin. Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in previous episodes, also attended.

The premiere also drew "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer, who said he interviewed for the role of Han Solo in the first "Star Wars" film but didn't get it.

"I met Mr. Lucas when I was 19 years old," Grammer told reporters. "I was a little too young but then two years later I was watching this movie and I said ... 'that was the movie (Lucas) was telling me about,' cause he said, 'We're going to do a fairy tale in space.'"

Bryan Burke, 37, and his 11-year-old stepson Matt Parks — both wielding plastic light sabers — traveled more than 300 miles from Powell, Ohio, for the Chicago screening.

"I think a lot of the Star Wars movies are about father and son bonding," Parks said. "So it's right for me to be here with my dad. This is such a big event for us both."

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