It's pretty much THE movie event of the whole year.
'Star Wars' fever has been rife all year, but nowhere was it more infectious than at the world premiere of 'The Force Awakens' yesterday (December 14th 2015). Packed with fans, celebrities as well as the stars of the movie, this was a film event of titanic proportions.
George Lucas and Jj Abrams buddy up at the Star Wars premiere
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' made it's premiere in Los Angeles, though the night became so busy that it had to be spread from the Dolby Theater to the TCL Chinese and El Capitan as well. The director of the previous movies George Lucas showed, to the delight of new director and major fan J.J. Abrams. Lucas previously described having to attend the premiere as being like a divorced father at his grown child's wedding, but in this case it seems stepfather Abrams couldn't have been more right for the continuation of the 'Star Wars' project.
Lupita Nyong'o channels Princess Leia with red carpet hairstyle
Meanwhile, there were some very impressive dresses on the red carpet. Lupita Nyong'o glimmered bright than any galaxy in her metallic gown, complete with Princess Leia inspired hair. 'The Clone Wars' voice actress Jaime King also opted for a sci-fi look with toga-like elements, a white lick of satin framing her shoulders.
Check out Jaime King's futuristic look
The red carpet excitement didn't end at the star arrivals, however, as armed Stormtroopers stormed the premiere with droids C3PO, R2D2 and new addition BB-8 in their wake. There were even signs of Wookies, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt himself appeared dressed as Yoda according to witnesses.
The main guests arrive
The new movie focuses on a young woman named Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, whose world faces a new threat 30 years on from the defeat of the Galactic Empire at the hands of the Rebel Alliance. The First Order is the modern-day Empire, led by the ruthless Supreme Leader Snoke alongside a team including Kylo Ren and General Hux. The Rebels are now known as the Resistance, and General Leia (major name change there) is determined to re-team with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca, not to mention their young new allies, to defeat the latest menace.
Daisy Ridley is among the new star rebels
As well as Ridley, another newcomer in the form of John Boyega joins the cast as a redeemed former stormtrooper named Finn, who now wields the lightsaber that belonged to Luke. There was much controversy surrounding Boyega's involvement, with many prejudiced fans campaigning for a boycott due to his casting as the first lead role a black man has taken in the franchise. Hopefully, he's not the last.
John Boyega lands his breakthrough role in 'Star Wars'
Gwendoline Christie is also on board as an interesting new character, the villainous Captain Phasma - and, indeed, the first female villain the 'Star Wars' franchise has ever seen. She's a chrome-plated stormtrooper official, who has drawn much praise from the feminists of the world in that her armour has not been over-feminised.
Gwendoline Christie is a badass lady stormtrooper
Four more stand-alone 'Star Wars' films are scheduled to be released over the next five years; 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' directed by Gareth Edwards is the next one with a tentative release date of December 16th 2016.
BB-8 is the new R2D2
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is set to be released in cinemas this Friday (December 18th 2015).
More: Watch the trailer for 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'
But here's the old R2D2 with C3PO
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