SEE MOVIE LATER, BUY STUFF NOW.

Byline: Marla Matzer Daily News Staff Writer

Hold onto your wallet: ``Star Wars'' will be in stores in force on Monday.

That's when millions of action figures, Lego kits, T-shirts and other trinkets representing all things ``Star Wars'' will hit stores nationwide. So many fans are expected to be clamoring for the new merchandise, many outlets will open early to accommodate the expected crowds.

If you want a little taste of the story and sounds of ``Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace,'' the novelization and audiobook also go on sale Monday. You'll have to wait another day for the John Williams-composed soundtrack album from Sony Classical. It hits shelves on Tuesday.

You can see the video of the first single, ``Duel of the Fates,'' starting Monday. The video of the single - which has already been receiving radio airplay - features images from the film as the London Symphony plays. VH1 shows a partial preview during its 2 p.m. music video hour, then MTV unveils it in its entirety during its ``Total Request Live'' show from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. For hard-core fans, VH1 will replay the entire video continuously from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

When it comes to toys, retailers are hungry for a hit licensed property; last year's ``Godzilla'' was a disappointment. Some of the major chain stores are seeking to set off sales with a bang by opening just after midnight on Monday morning, the first day they are allowed by Lucasfilm to put toys linked to ``Phantom Menace'' on the shelves.

Analysts predict sales of ``Star War'' merchandise will top $2 billion this year. Toys R Us and Wal-Mart say this is their biggest commitment ever to a film's products.

Here is a list of some local major retailers who plan to open early (some just after the witching hour) on Monday to sell everything ``Star Wars.''

KB Toys

Opening times vary depending on location; some mall stores are not allowed by the landlord to open before a certain hour. Here are opening times for a handful of Valley locations:

Burbank, Media City Center: open at 6 a.m.

Canoga Park, Fallbrook Mall: open at 12:01 a.m. for approximately two hours, then reopening for normal business hours.

Canoga Park, Topanga Plaza: open at 8 a.m.

Glendale Galleria: open at 12:01 a.m. for approximately two hours, then reopening for regular business hours.

Northridge Fashion Center: open at 6 a.m.

Toys R Us

All locations will open at 12:01 a.m. Monday and stay open until regular closing hours. In the greater Los Angeles area, stores in Torrance, Culver City and Covina will feature costumed characters.

Wal-Mart

Locations open 24 hours, such as in Oxnard, will put out toys just after midnight. Other locations, such as Panorama City, will keep normal hours. Wal-Mart has boasted that it will feature a broad array of ``Star Wars'' items throughout the store.

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Photo: ``Star Wars'' Lego kits are among the items going on sale Monday, with some stores planning to open for business at midnight.

Dean Musgrove/Daily News