Regal Movies: ‘The Force Awakens’ on Thursday

“The Force” is likely to awaken this week after the Regal Entertainment Group updated their website with new showtimes and available tickets for Saipan residents to view Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Hollywood Theaters tomorrow, Dec. 17.

The much-anticipated premiere of the new movie will be shown in 3D at 7pm and 10:15pm. Regular screening is at 7:20pm and 10:40pm

With the island’s only theater shut down since the devastation of Typhoon Soudelor in August, news of the opening is close to a “Christmas miracle” for dedicated moviegoers.

Online movie ticket seller Fandango also lists the premiere of the next installment of the epic space opera franchise on Thursday. Saipan Tribune contacted the Regal Entertainment Group’s movie line and received information that the movie will be aired on Friday at the same showtimes.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is also listed on the website to air this Friday until Sunday along with the Star Wars movie, which comes after 10 long years.

“My Christmas wish just came true!” Star Wars superfan Galvin Deleon Guerrero told Saipan Tribune.

Moviegoer Jackie Jucutan already purchased tickets for her and her husband to watch Star Wars on Thursday. “I bought it right away because I miss the movies,” she said.

“It gives us another alternative on what to do for date night,” she added. “And it is perfect timing right before Christmas break, patrons won’t be bored. I am hoping they will get to show some of the movies that we missed when they were closed.”

Leslie Reyes, 44, of Garapan, said he’s happy that Regal Theaters came through and will be premiering the seventh installment of the Star Wars saga.

“Since the theaters got closed last August I really had no thoughts about watching Star Wars and since everyone is in a predicament due to the typhoon the last thing on my mind is to go and watch a flick…and then the new Star Wars trailer got released on YouTube and for all fanatics it was a spectacle, because of the over-the-top effects. I know it will do good because J.J. Abrams is the director and all the Star Trek films he directed were amazing so for sure this movie won’t disappoint,” he said.

The websites and movie line did not list any other showtimes. As of Tuesday, online information said that the theater will be open throughout the weekend to premiere the two listed shows.

Local sources separately said that there is a possibility of the theaters opening before this Friday.

Movie listings can be viewed at www.regmovies.com. (With Mark Rabago)