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Die-hard "Twilight" fans are at it again for the opening weekend of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."
The film is one of few others released causing theaters to make tickets available for pre-sale and hold a midnight showing.
In Morgantown, the movie is popular enough to have sold out three auditoriums for the midnight premiere at Hollywood Theaters.
Rachel Mersing, house manager at Hollywood Theaters, said the theater was originally scheduled for two prints of the movie to run in two auditoriums, and both showings sold out about a month ago.
"Two weeks ago we got a third print, and that sold out in a couple of days," she said.
According to Mersing, fans begin lining up for the show almost two hours in advance, with some dressing up as vampires and others sporting "Twilight" T-shirts.
The series of vampire romance novels has maintained a cult following since the first book was a best-seller in 2005. The movie adaptation was released in 2008.
Since the release of the movie "Twilight," fans have been in overload buying the book series and reading until "New Moon" hit theaters. Many fans are re-watching "Twilight" and reading the books to prepare to see the movie over the weekend.
"Some of my friends are having a girls’ night to watch ‘Twilight’ before going to see "New Moon," said Kylie Parrish, a junior biology major at West Virginia University. "I’m not as obsessed, but I am definitely excited to see the movie."
Many fans have created a rivalry over the second book between Edward Cullen, every girl’s favorite vampire, and Jacob Black, a good-looking werewolf that competes for Bella Swan’s heart.
Twilighters seem to be split down the middle into mini cults of "Team Jacob" and "Team Edward."
"I am on Team Edward because even though his relationship with Bella is complicated, and they aren’t supposed to be together, there is just something about him that makes you root for him and hope that they end up together," said Jordan Holloway, a junior broadcast news major. "Plus, doesn’t every girl love a bad boy?"
Though some fans are driven by the romance of Edward Cullen, some disagree.
"I am definitely on Team Jacob because he is less annoying and such a sweetheart," said Ashley Jones, a junior speech pathology major. "I will be going to see the movie over break, but I will probably go early to avoid all the screaming girls over the two characters."
According to fans that have both read the books and have seen the first movie, they think "New Moon" will be less romantic and more of a dark, suspenseful adventure.
The film’s production company, Summit Entertainment, expects "New Moon" to rake in $85 million in its opening weekend.
Movie openings as popular as "Twilight" only happen once or twice per year, Mersing said. The last time Mersing saw a movie as popular was with the recent "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" released this past summer.
If you’re planning on seeing the movie without a pre-sale ticket, many theaters suggest getting there early within the first couple of days or you will not get a ticket.
"We are encouraging people to come early and wait in line in an orderly fashion," said Mark Smith, a senior public relations major and employee of Cinema 7 in his hometown of Charleston, W.Va. "I really do not look forward to this when I go home for break because it’s going to be a crazy time."
For information about local theater ticket sales or availability call Hollywood Theaters in Granville or Carmike Cinemas in the Morgantown Mall.
7 comments
I FEEL SORRY FOR HER IN NEW MOON!!!