KIDS' CHARITY TO BE HELPED BY THE WORLD OF THE 'WARS' FANS WAIT AT GRAUMAN'S, AS TRADITION DICTATES, FOR 'SITH'.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD - South of Santa Clarita, in a galaxy far, far away, 19-year old Mike Lund celebrated his 20th birthday Saturday with a select group of friends.

Lund - also known as ``Lobaca'' after a character in ``Star Wars'' - is one of several dozen fans lined up in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, waiting for a movie premiere that may or may not happen there.

A bright young man and avid writer with an interest in astronomy and a penchant for detail, Lund found he thrived on the intergalactic counterculture.

`` 'Star Wars' is not just a movie - it's about the high quality of people you meet through it,'' he said. ``It's an absolute blast to be able to spend a month and a half with a bunch of awesome people who are fans.''

The science fiction buffs are polite company for the neighborhood merchants and a lightning rod for attention to the historic theater, where ``Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'' and ``Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones,'' the series' most recent prequels, premiered in 1999 and 2001. Fox, which distributed the series, has secured the ArcLight Cinemas about a mile away for the midnight opening of the last in the series, ``Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.''

But the line sitters are undaunted.

``We have this thing where we act panicked, like we didn't know, when somebody tells us,'' Lund said. ``Grauman's has been telling us how great it is to have us back again. We assumed the movie was going to open here because ('Menace' and 'Clones') did. It would be nice if they did at least one showing here.''

Lund says their village includes a 20-foot-long shelter built of tarps and PVC pipe, wireless Internet service and a webcam. A journalism student at California State University, Northridge, he contributes to a blog posted on the British Broadcasting Company's Web site.

``Tourist buses stop in front, and we've heard some of them give a spiel about us,'' he said. ``We have power from Hollywood Souvenirs, and the Hollywood & Highland complex is letting us use the bathrooms. Ever since the last movie premiered here, we've been building good relationships.''

Those in line are also working on raising money for a good cause. Each person officially registered must raise a minimum of $50 for Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, which benefits sick children. A thermometer on their Web site (www.liningup.net) indicated Saturday afternoon that they were 74 percent to their goal of $30,000.

The line sitters come from all over. Most are Los Angeles-area residents, but they have been joined by people from Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Germany, as well as most of the 50 states. Other Santa Clarita line sitters include Bryan Lee, Chris Carreras, Chris Sonnenberg, Harout Karaoglanian and John Glancy. All have agreed to abide by the rules, which include signing in and out and not being gone more than a half hour without checking out.

``It's all about being fair to line members,'' read the rules. ``A half- hour break is more than enough time to order food (and bring it back to the line to eat), brush your teeth or grab a lightsaber from your car.''

Those in line will be required to stay the last 24 hours before the opening on May 19; their place in line will be determined by the number of hours logged since April 2.

Lund still comes home every now and then to eat a home-cooked meal and to sleep in his own bed, as well as to attend classes and tutor.

``My family is less than enthused,'' he added. ``I think mainly they don't like the idea that I'm in Hollywood overnight, but we've come to an understanding. I'm an adult, but I live at home. It's good to have a place to go home to after the line, and I would rather have a place to go to where I'm not paying rent.''

As to his alter ego, Lund explained patiently to the uninitiated that Lobaca, a nephew to Chewbacca, is a young Jedi Knight who can use the Force.

``What could be cooler than a Wookiee with a lightsaber?''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Mike Lund, at right, waits in line Saturday at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, along with many of his fellow fans, for the May 18 premiere of ``Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.''

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer