'STAR WARS' SICKOUT IN THE WORKS FOR OPENER

NYP: Employers are expected to see a dramatic spike in absenteeism as workers play hooky to see "Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith," when it opens May 19, according to a new report.

That loss of productivity could cost employers as much as $627 million in the first two days that the picture — the last installment of the epic sci-fi series — hits theaters.