Security was tight at the Los Angeles premiere on Monday night (14Dec15) for the first public unveiling of the film, which was held at three cinemas because of the high demand for seats.

Roads surrounding the city's famous Hollywood Boulevard were closed, and anyone walking down the street had to pass through metal detectors to enter the restricted area.

The red carpet event took place under a large white marquee so it could not be viewed from above, random searches were carried out by security guards, and bomb sniffing dogs were used to monitor the perimeter of the tent, which was built to resemble the inside of a spaceship.

The measures caused major traffic jams and Fisher, one of the original trilogy's returning stars, feared she would be late for her own premiere.

She posted a picture on Twitter.com showing the queuing traffic, and wrote, "We probably'll be stuck in traffic thru (through) first hour of film... bomb dogs currently sniffing the car - almost there."

Fisher made it onto the red carpet to join her returning co-stars Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, plus newcomers Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong'o, director J.J. Abrams and creator George Lucas.

Stormtroopers and droids R2-D2, C3PO and BB-8 also made an appearance on the red carpet.

The event was live-streamed on the Internet, and Fisher made a blunder by repeatedly cursing while she was interviewed by Isaac and her daughter Billie Lourd, who also has a role in the new movie.

When asked what her younger self would say, Fisher replied, "She was very busy partying, making sure I would look like s**t later." After realising her mistake, she turned to the camera, and added, "I don't mean s**t, by s**t I mean, not as good as, in the other sense."

The premiere took place at the Dolby Theatre, El Capitan Theatre and the TCL Chinese Theatre simultaneously to an estimated 5,000 guests.

Inside one of the cinemas, Lucas received a standing ovation and Abrams, who has taken over directing duties, praised him for creating the franchise.

"None of us would be here tonight without the miraculous creation of one man," J.J. told the audience. "George Lucas, from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of everyone involved in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, thank you sir."

Celebrity guests included Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who dressed up as Yoda complete with green face paint, newlyweds Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello, Steven Spielberg, Matthew MCConaughey and Elizabeth Banks.

Star Wars fans camped out for days ahead of the premiere, and they were banned from wearing helmets or carrying Star War-style weapons as they stood outside waiting to catch a glimpse of their idols.

The order echoes similar instructions issued by bosses of cinema chains in the U.K. and U.S., who have banned fans from taking lightsabers and blaster toys to screenings due to safety fears.