Long wait ends for ‘Star Wars’ fans

“It’s one of my favorite things, like electricity, fire, medicine,” said Christian Miller, 27, who makes a living canvassing door to door for political campaigns.

Miller, dressed as Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn, portrayed by Liam Neeson in the saga, said “It’s proof that myth will have a role in human culture.”

Jeff Schiffman, 25, of Burbank, moved to California three years ago for a job as a film restorer who worked on the original “Star Wars” trilogy for DVD.

Sporting a “Star Wars” tattoo, he wore a black cloak and sinister Darth Maul contact lenses for the latest film. Even his Yorkie, Zoe, had a “Star Wars” patch.

Schiffman chose the cloak, similar to that of the movie’s evil emperor, because “the Dark Side is so much cooler,” he said.

In Boston, the entire 16-person staff of a Web development firm planned to take Thursday off to see the film. The outing was paid for by the company — popcorn and soda included.

Seth Miller, the president and chief executive of Miller Systems Inc., said the tradition began with “The Phantom Menace” in 1999.

“It speaks to our culture. It’s the benefit of not working at a giant monolithic — dare I say ’Imperial’ — type company,” he said, referring to the Empire in the “Star Wars” films.

Tickets for the movie went on sale last month, and many fans who couldn’t bear the thought of a bad seat began camping out well in advance. “I’m a typical ’Star Wars’ geek, trying to see the final episode,” said Jimmy Burns, 32, who helped his Rebel Legion fan club be first into a Georgia theater on the outskirts of Atlanta.

“This is a big event for all of us,” said Russ Rolle as he waited outside Edwards Big Newport, one of the largest theaters in Southern California. The 23-year-old student had been taking turns with friends since May 8 saving a spot in line to make sure they catch the first showing. His wristband identified him as No. 7 in line for one of the 1,200 seats to the sold-out 12:01 showing.

John St. Clair, of Hopatcong, N.J., recalled going to the first “Star Wars” in 1977. He saw the film five weeks after it opened, then saw it about 10 times.

“Nobody knew anything about the first movie. Word of mouth is what carried it,” said St. Clair, 60.

“After the first three, you had a lot of questions of how everything came to pass, and this answered all those questions,” he said.

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