Employers To Lose Millions For Episode II?

The premiere of "Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," scheduled for May 16 at theaters around the United States, could draw as many as 2.6 million workers who skip out for the day to catch the blockbuster as it debuts, according to projections by Chicago-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

That back-of-the-envelope guess would imply more than $319 million in lost wages for U.S. business, with technology and computer companies taking a particularly large hit because of their geek-heavy payrolls, said Chief Executive John Challenger.

"This is a big event. For a whole event, it's seen as kind of foundational to their lives," said Challenger, a self-described fan of the Star Wars saga. "To be there for the opening -- you know, you just need to get your priorities straight."

"Attack of the Clones," which debuts on a Thursday, is one of the most widely anticipated releases of the year and a line of die-hard fans has been camped out in front of Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood for weeks.