Fresno fans getting ready for Star Wars debut

FRESNO, Calif. -- Fans are already packing theaters in Fresno - for the Star Wars debut later Thursday.

Dozens of moviegoers were lined up outside Edwards Theaters in River Park in north Fresno overnight. The theater is screening a marathon of all six movies, leading up to the new one. That marathon started at 4 a.m.

"It's a way to kind of... recapture some of those good youth feelings, some good comradery with fellow Jedi... and have some fun with some moves that are very near and dear to our hearts," said Mark Lopez, Jedi in training.

"Everybody here, we're all from different walks of life. We probably couldn't agree on a lot of different things, but we can all agree that we love Star Wars," said Leah and Anson Blanks, Clovis.

"The Force Awakens" -- which is made by Disney, the parent company of ABC30 -- will screen for the first time Thursday at 7pm. Some fans wanted to wait overnight for that showing, but River Park security told them to come back at 7:30 this morning to get in line.