"STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS," the most anticipated new film in recent memory, hits theaters nationwide tonight. We asked some of our readers about their plans for seeing the movie and their personal histories of "Star Wars" fandom.
EMILY HUDDELL
Turnkey Sports & Entertainment VP/Marketing (plus other Turnkey execs)
*Rate your level of fandom:
As a group of marketing, design and -- cough -- IT people, we’d probably be classified as Jedi High Council Members (die-hards).
*What are your plans for seeing the new film?
Turnkey Senior VP/Strategic Initiatives DAVE STYS has organized a trip for our marketing, design and IT team to see the film as a group the Monday after it opens. #NerdFest
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The daughter of Turnkey's Patrick Kuhlen
is a big Darth Vader fan |
*What is your favorite "Star Wars" memory?
I dressed my 15-month-old son as Yoda for Halloween. My husband was Chewie, and I begrudgingly accompanied on trick-or-treating as Princess Leia. But our VP/Creative & Strategic Services PATRICK KUHLEN has quite a few, many of which feature his daughter, who loves Darth Vader and will celebrate her fifth birthday at a Vader-themed party this weekend. ... Our Chief Technology Officer MICHAEL MAYLE remembers standing in line for hours at Eastland Mall in Columbus to see "The Empire Strikes Back" (his dad wasn’t as excited). He also recalls redeeming a bunch of proofs-of-purchase for a Boba Fett action figure through the mail. Mayle: "Those are worth $27,000 now. I think I pulled his arms off." ... Finally, Dave Stys still gets flack from his family for an issue from years past: "My dad took my brother and me to 'The Empire Strikes Back.' I was really young, and we were so excited, but 15 minutes into the movie, I got a really bad ear ache. It kept getting worse, and we had to leave. I’ve never been forgiven!”
*Do you have a favorite character or one you identify with more than others?
Turnkey Senior Data Analyst JEREMY ROTHSTEIN’s favorite character is Emperor Palpatine, "because he clearly has so much fun being evil." IT Specialist ERIC KISSINGER is a Plo Koon fan: “He had limited time on screen and was a pretty minor character considering. But way back in the day, I had a Star Wars game and he was my favorite character to use. I liked his character design, and he was also the only Jedi I know of to have an orange light sabre.”
*Any predictions for Episode VII or for the direction of the franchise going forward?
We’ll leave that to the experts.
JASON WOLFE
Wolfe Solutions President
:
Jedi High Council member (die-hard)
*What are your plans for seeing the new film?
4:00pm IMAX on Opening Day. A three-generation expedition into a galaxy far, far away. My wife and I are bringing our parents and our children.
*What is your favorite "Star Wars" memory?
The first movie I ever saw was "Return of the Jedi" in the Owensboro (Ky.) Malco Cinema when I was 5. I sat on the edge of my seat for the entire movie. My favorite memory has been seeing my son CONNOR react the same way watching the movies his first time. He went from watching on the couch, to sitting on the coffee table to standing right in front of the TV during lightsaber battles. Proud Dad!
*Do you have a favorite character or one you identify with more than others?
I tend to relate with the story of many of the rebels and how they were all searching for something "greater." It turned into the challenge of doing the right thing and fighting for belief. Really cool to see it manifest in each character.
*Any predictions for Episode VII or for the direction of the franchise going forward?
A rediscovery of the battle of light and dark that seems to hinge on the most force-powerful family in the galaxy, the Skywalkers. I am actually most excited for the other "canon" stories and the amazing world building. Just like a "Harry Potter" or "Avatar," the world building, layers of story and character development are something I can’t resist!
ELLEN LUCEY
Bauerfeind Sports Marketing Dir
Jedi High Council member (die-hard)
*What are your plans for seeing the new film?
I'm going with my two kids and with friends and their two kids
*What is your favorite "Star Wars" memory?
My brother and I had a record of Star Wars with the soundtrack. It was the entire movie. We loved it even though it was only the sound.
*Do you have a favorite character or one you identify with more than others?
Han Solo
*Any predictions for Episode VII or for the direction of the franchise going forward?
I have high expectations and based on how they have handled the clips, I don't believe I will be disappointed.
Oak View Group Exec VP/Premium Services
*Rate your level of fandom:
Jedi knight (avid)
*What are your plans for seeing the new film?
We are celebrating my son’s 10th birthday with about 15 friends and viewing an IMAX 3D showing on Dec. 21.
*What is your favorite "Star Wars" memory?
Seeing the world premiere at the Kennedy Center in DC on May 17, 1980. We met most of the cast at a pre-show reception, and my little sister got HARRISON FORD's autograph and her picture in the Washington Post. It was hard to realize how cool that was at eight years old.
*Do you have a favorite character or one you identify with more than others?
Han Solo, for sure
*Any predictions for Episode VII or for the direction of the franchise going forward?
There will be a cliffhanger and some great battle scenes. The dark side gets the upper hand and we will all be in a frenzy in another couple years for the next edition of the story.
TYSON LAMP
49ers Partnership Sales Manager
*Rate your level of fandom:
Jedi Knight (avid). I absolutely love the films, follow all the daily news and rumors, collect all the comic books, novels and video games. But can I name every alien in the infamous cantina scene in 'A New Hope'? No, I can’t. So I can’t consider myself a Jedi High Council member ... yet.
*What are your plans for seeing the new film?
I’m seeing it on opening day with my father at the Hackworth IMAX Dome in San Jose. This is one of the largest IMAX theaters in the country, with 9,000-plus square feet of wraparound image and 13,000 watts of digital surround sound. My father took me to see the original trilogy at a young age, so it’s his fault I love the movies. I figure the least I can do is return the favor and take him to see Episode VII. Thankfully, we don’t have a Darth Vader-Luke Skywalker relationship.
*What is your favorite "Star Wars" memory?
At a recent 49ers game, I was able to meet a few of the executive producers from Bad Robot/Lucasfilm who helped create the new film. It was difficult to not go fanboy on them in excitement. They shared some of their experiences making the film and joked that they would send Stormtroopers after me if I shared any of the details. Even better, they were fellow 49ers faithful.
*Do you have a favorite character or one you identify with more than others?
Darth Vader. He is the only villain who has anchored a trilogy of films each as the antagonist and as the protagonist. He is a case study on good vs. evil, destiny vs. choice, and the story of a hero’s rise, fall and redemption. Plus he has the best entrance music of all time in JOHN WILLIAMS' “The Imperial March.” As a fan, I wear Darth Vader dress socks during every 49ers game for luck.
*Any predictions for Episode VII or for the direction of the franchise going forward?
J.J. ABRAMS will deliver on all of the hype in creating the "Star Wars" film, story, characters and excitement that fans have been waiting years for. New characters like Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron & Kylo Ren will go down in pop culture fandom the way Luke, Leia, Han Solo and Darth Vader did 38 years ago.
