The Force is strong in Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE — The snow began to fall and temperatures were dropping as rapidly as on the ice planet Hoth.

But no tauntaun, nor bantha, nor wookiee, nor wampa for that matter, could stand in the way of fans waiting to see the premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Thursday evening at Regal Cinemas Riverstone 14.

A group of friends lounged at the front of the line, camped out with a pop-up gazebo, camping chairs, blankets and "Star Wars" Trivial Pursuit. They staked their claim near the entrance to the theater at 8:20 a.m. to catch the 7:05 p.m. showing.

"We thought that we weren’t going to be first, to be honest," said Theresa Foster, of Coeur d'Alene, as she sipped from a steaming cup of soup. She said her dad introduced her to the films when she was 4.

"We’ve just been fans together," she said.

Foster and her friends had been looking forward to seeing Episode VII since it was announced.

"I think it’s going to rectify the damage that the prequels did, to be honest," she said, giggling. "It just seems that J.J. Abrams is a really enthusiastic director and he’s perfect for this role, taking over the next generation of movies."

By 5 p.m., more than 100 people were in line to see the new "Star Wars" film, with more people appearing by the minute.

"We immediately bought tickets and they sold out the next day," said Foster's friend, Andrew Birdsall of Coeur d'Alene.

Birdsall said he can't explain it, but everyone loves "Star Wars."

"'Star Wars' has been a focal point of pop culture for the last 40 years, and at this point, three generations have had a 'Star Wars' movie to see and it’s been passed down," he said. "It’s a pop culture phenomenon."

Enjoying that phenomenon for more than two decades is Damian Vonderharr of Coeur d’Alene, who wore his authentic-looking, full-body Boba Fett costume to the premiere.

"I like the aura of mystery around him," Vonderharr said of deadly intergalactic bounty hunter Fett.

Vonderharr has been collecting "Star Wars" items for 20 years. He bought his Fett costume for about $1,000 at a comic book shop and said he wears it whenever he gets the opportunity. He said several people approached him to have their photo taken with him while waiting for the movie to open. He grabbed his place in line at 2:30 p.m.

"Anybody who knows me knows I’m a huge ‘Star Wars’ fan," he said, lifting his helmet to talk. "The guys at Pizza Hut say, ‘Yeah, I got to deliver to the ‘Star Wars’ house.'"

He said he's glad to know the "Star Wars" franchise will continue, but in order to make more films, Disney "had to cancel ‘The Clone Wars’ animated series and cancel the video game ‘Star Wars: 1313’ that was in development."

"It’s a double-bladed light saber, you know, you have the good and the bad," he said, grinning.

Around the corner from Vonderharr, another "Star Wars" fan wore a full Snowtrooper uniform.

Michelle Brumley wore the white Imperial uniform as her boyfriend, Mason Williams, both of Coeur d'Alene, held their coffees and chatted with curious passersby. The suit is a replica of the trooper uniform worn in "The Empire Strikes Back."

"In the beginning of the movie, they have that snow scene on Hoth, that’s why it makes the most sense," Williams said, referring to the cold weather they endured while waiting for the show.

Williams said he was only 2 when he saw his first "Star Wars" movie, so he was too little to remember it, but he played with the toys and really felt connected to the original trilogy once he did see it and knew what the films were about.

"Once 'Empire Strikes Back' came out, then it was big," he said. "My first Stormtrooper was the Snowtrooper; that’s why this costume is mine, and then the way the scope was just so big — I mean, it’s the classic story."

Brumley shared how she fell in love with the original trilogy.

"VHS," she said in a voice muffled by her helmet. "And Princess Leia."

Williams, who is a member of the 501st Legion Imperial costuming organization, said Abrams is doing a lot less computer generation than the prequel films and sticking with the old-school practical effects for "The Force Awakens," "which is what made the original 'Star Wars' really shine."

"I just hope that it brings everyone together in a sense of fun and community," he said. "It’s a great story; everyone can have their own viewpoint and opinion on it and just talk about it and find groups to do stuff with because of it."

No props such as light sabers, masks, helmets that cover faces or other questionable items are allowed inside the theater.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will be shown at several different times throughout the day while in theaters. May the Force be with you.