EMPIRE STRIKES GOLD; `PHANTOM' OBLITERATES DAY-ONE RECORD.

Byline: Dave McNary Daily News Staff Writer

The Force lived up to the hype as it rewrote the record books Wednesday, taking in an estimated $42 million at 2,970 theaters for the first day of ``Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace.''

``We're tracking most of the early shows at 98 percent capacity and it wasn't much less for the other shows,'' said Robert Bucksbaum, president of the Reel Source tracking service. ``Some owners are saying every seat was packed.''

``I think $42 million sounds right,'' agreed Barry Hyman, an analyst with Ehrenkrantz King Nussbaum. ``By the time you're done with the first two weeks, you're looking at $200 million. This is clearly not `Ishtar.' ''

The final first-day figure, which will not be released by 20th Century Fox until today, is estimated to have topped the previous one-day record of $26.1 million - set by ``The Lost World: Jurassic Park'' two years ago - by more than 60 percent.

``It looks like it's far beyond our expectations,'' said Fox executive Tom Sherak.

Goosing the total was the move by 2,010 theaters to stage 12:01 a.m. screenings; 120 of those offered shows at 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Patronage for the $115 million extravaganza, replete with George Lucas' never-before-seen digital effects, was strong in major metropolitan areas. ``In big cities, being there on opening day is such a big deal, so almost all the Los Angeles and New York showings were sold out,'' Bucksbaum said. ``To get 98 percent attendance is just unheard of.''

Chandler Wood, head film buyer for Pacific Theaters, said all 51 of the chain's late-morning showings sold out. ``There were a lot of young kids with families, a lot of people in costume and a lot of applause,'' he said.

Loews Cineplex executive Marc Pascucci said the majority of Wednesday ``Phantom Menace'' shows at the chain's 200 theaters with prints were sold out. ``The majority today were true fanatics,'' he added. ``I think we'll be pretty close to capacity through Sunday.''

Bucksbaum said 75 percent of the audience was comprised of males between 15 and 25. He held to his prediction of $375 million to $410 million in final grosses and $135 million in the first five days with $22 million today, $27 million Friday, $26 million Saturday and $18 million Sunday.

Trackers also said less-than-glowing reviews had not hurt attendance.

``People like Lucas, the studios and exhibitors know that critics occupy a culture that's disjointed from popular culture,'' said Kevin Skislock of Laguna Research Partners. ``Lucas has a very powerful connection with popular culture because he's created such a compelling story. It all started in the original with the bar scene where Luke meets Han Solo.''