Olympic Peninsula Sci-Fan fans joined in on the international hype for the opening of “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” on Dec. 17, at Deer Park Cinemas.

Matt Bailey from Port Angeles was officially first in line at noon that day for the 2-D showing. His reason? He was second in line for “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” when it opened in Port Angeles in 1999, “so I had to be first this time,” Bailey said. This time he was joined for the showing with his two sons Hollund, 14, and Edun, 11.

Mike French from Port Angeles was second in line and said he and his friends came out of tradition because they saw Episode I in Port Angeles, too. To pass the time, French and his friends setup a table and played cards and role-playing games from the early afternoon until the 8 p.m. 3-D showing.

Both Thursday showings of Episode VII sold out, a theater official said.