He’s back.
And Naperville was there to welcome him.
More than a thousand fans of the world’s favorite wizard gathered at Naperville’s AMC Showplace Theatre for the midnight premiere of “link” It is the first installment of a two-part film, based on the final book in the J.K. Rowling series.
Many in attendance had pre-purchased their tickets weeks ago and started arriving at the south Naperville cinema as early as 6 p.m. Thursday. An hour before the scheduled release, fans were seated in eight of the 16 theaters, and additional showings were scheduled for 3:15 a.m. Friday.
While striped scarves and scars were commonplace, many fans, like Krista Kellner, arrived in full costume.
“At the last midnight premiere, I was just a generic Harry Potter wizard,” said Kellner, 19. “But this time, it’s an ode to Dobby,” she said, dressed as the house elf. “I wanted to come as Dobby because he is a lesser- known character, but plays a really big role.”
Kellner was joined by her brother Tim, 21, and fellow Wheaton College students Cheyenne Denson, 18, and Bre McClurkin, 19. The group said they have read all the Harry Potter books, and attending the midnight release was a must-do.
“We bought our tickets in October,” said Denson. “We were really looking forward to it.”
Laura Rudolph, 17, along with a group of friends from Naperville Central High School, arrived at 9:30 p.m. for their journey back to Hogwarts. The girls opted for comfort over costumes, wearing pajamas to the late show.
“It’s just so much fun, you’re the first ones to see this movie, and you get to stay up late,” said Rudolph. “We will just have to survive on three hours of sleep.”
But not everyone in attendance was a die-hard fan.
Christin Tang, 16, admitted to joining her classmates for the release, even though she is not as Potter-crazed as they are.
“I am not really into Harry Potter, but I wanted to go with my friends,” said Tang. “But rumor has it the movies are pretty good,” she laughed.
On the other hand, Plainfield North student Kelly Atkinson did her Harry Potter homework in the weeks leading up to the midnight release.
“I reread all the books, except the sixth one, because I couldn’t find it,” said Atkinson, 17. “I am looking forward to seeing the movie.”
Theater-goers passed the time by playing cards and board games and rehashing moments from their favorite Potter books and movies. Neuqua Valley High School student Ally Grevenites said the atmosphere at a Potter release is fun and friendly.
“I think the midnight show is fun because everyone joins together,” said the 15-year-old. “Harry Potter is one thing everyone here has in common, and it makes you comfortable with all these people.”
Although the movie poster reads “It all ends here” — that’s not the case. Fans of the wizard series will have to wait for the final installment, link” set to be released in July.
And Naperville was there to welcome him.
More than a thousand fans of the world’s favorite wizard gathered at Naperville’s AMC Showplace Theatre for the midnight premiere of “link” It is the first installment of a two-part film, based on the final book in the J.K. Rowling series.
Many in attendance had pre-purchased their tickets weeks ago and started arriving at the south Naperville cinema as early as 6 p.m. Thursday. An hour before the scheduled release, fans were seated in eight of the 16 theaters, and additional showings were scheduled for 3:15 a.m. Friday.
While striped scarves and scars were commonplace, many fans, like Krista Kellner, arrived in full costume.
“At the last midnight premiere, I was just a generic Harry Potter wizard,” said Kellner, 19. “But this time, it’s an ode to Dobby,” she said, dressed as the house elf. “I wanted to come as Dobby because he is a lesser- known character, but plays a really big role.”
Kellner was joined by her brother Tim, 21, and fellow Wheaton College students Cheyenne Denson, 18, and Bre McClurkin, 19. The group said they have read all the Harry Potter books, and attending the midnight release was a must-do.
“We bought our tickets in October,” said Denson. “We were really looking forward to it.”
Laura Rudolph, 17, along with a group of friends from Naperville Central High School, arrived at 9:30 p.m. for their journey back to Hogwarts. The girls opted for comfort over costumes, wearing pajamas to the late show.
“It’s just so much fun, you’re the first ones to see this movie, and you get to stay up late,” said Rudolph. “We will just have to survive on three hours of sleep.”
But not everyone in attendance was a die-hard fan.
Christin Tang, 16, admitted to joining her classmates for the release, even though she is not as Potter-crazed as they are.
“I am not really into Harry Potter, but I wanted to go with my friends,” said Tang. “But rumor has it the movies are pretty good,” she laughed.
On the other hand, Plainfield North student Kelly Atkinson did her Harry Potter homework in the weeks leading up to the midnight release.
“I reread all the books, except the sixth one, because I couldn’t find it,” said Atkinson, 17. “I am looking forward to seeing the movie.”
Theater-goers passed the time by playing cards and board games and rehashing moments from their favorite Potter books and movies. Neuqua Valley High School student Ally Grevenites said the atmosphere at a Potter release is fun and friendly.
“I think the midnight show is fun because everyone joins together,” said the 15-year-old. “Harry Potter is one thing everyone here has in common, and it makes you comfortable with all these people.”
Although the movie poster reads “It all ends here” — that’s not the case. Fans of the wizard series will have to wait for the final installment, link” set to be released in July.
Prisoner of Azkaban
