A blockbuster awakens: Star Wars back on big screen

Fans cheer in the stands at the world premiere of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, December 14, 2015, in Los Angeles. Photo by Jordan Strauss / Invision / APShow less

Fans turned out in force on Monday, December 14, for the highly anticipated Hollywood premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with excitement at fever pitch and security tight as the space epic resumes.

Police cordoned off the area around the famed Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, which hosted the premiere along with other nearby theatres, setting up metal detectors and deploying scores of officers and sniffer dogs.

As the stars of the latest instalment of the epic walked the red carpet, fans – some who had camped out for days in their Star Wars costumes – went into a frenzy seeking autographs and pictures of the beloved movie characters.

“This is probably the biggest opening in decades,” said Jeff Bock, an analyst at box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. “There’s more security than at the Academy Awards. It’s a huge deal.”

Ever since 1977, when Star Wars introduced the world to the Force, Jedi knights, Darth Vader, Wookiees and clever droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, the sci-fi saga has built a devoted global fan base that spans generations.

“I’ve been here since 3am because I wanted to get a good spot,” said James Salazar, 19, outside the Chinese Theatre. “I’ve been a fan all my life, it’s my favourite movie and my dad’s also.”

The global roll-out takes in a dozen countries – including the Middle East premiere in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, December 16 – before the film officially reaches cinemas worldwide on Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 18.

The intergalactic tale of good versus evil, friendship, loyalty and love created a defining moment in the history of popular culture and launched one of the biggest movie franchises ever.

The original blockbuster turned Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill – who play its heroes Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker – into stars overnight.

Much to the delight of legions of fans, the beloved veterans return in the new instalment – which picks up 30 years after the events of 1983's Return of the Jedi.

But The Force Awakens also brings a host of fresh faces, among them British actors John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who could be the breakout stars of the new film.

“You could say it’s the themes, it’s the Force, it’s the lightsaber – there’s just something in this that touches people, and I don’t think you can summarise that,” said 23-year-old Ridley, who plays a scavenger called Rey. Boyega plays a character called Finn, portrayed in the trailer as a renegade stormtrooper.

Other franchise newcomers include Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Maz Kanata, a motion-captured pirate character whose castle is packed with smugglers from across the galaxy.

Director J J Abrams had the daunting task of taking the intergalactic tale created by George Lucas forward while trying to meet the high expectations of fans.

The last Star Wars film came out a decade ago – the final chapter in a prequel trilogy that was less well-received than the original three films from 1977 to 1983.

So far, the plot of The Force Awakens – Episode VII in the franchise – remains a fiercely guarded mystery and those eager to read reviews must wait until 12pm UAE time on Wednesday, December 16, when a media embargo is lifted.

“Everyone knows we keep it secret for the right reasons,” Ridley said. “Even the people that really want to know about it, they want to see it in the film.”

The secrecy has sparked much speculation, with Abrams promising it won’t be a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Is Darth Vader really dead? Will the hero of the first trilogy, Luke Skywalker, be back? And could Rey, whose last name hasn’t been revealed, be linked to the Skywalker dynasty?

What is already known for sure is that The Force Awakens cast counts far more women than previous renditions.

Aside from Fisher, Ridley and Nyong'o, it also features Gwendoline Christie, who made a name as the formidable warrior Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones and plays Captain Phasma, one of the film's villains.

Anticipation for The Force Awakens has been building steadily for months, with Disney unleashing a well-orchestrated advertising campaign of merchandise tie-ups, trailers and interviews with cast members that left fans hungry for more.

Excited fans are counting down the hours, many with tickets already in hand – although those without may be disappointed on opening night in the United States, as many theatres are already sold out.

Experts say that the movie, which could generate US$400 million (Dh1.4 billion) by the end of the year if it is well received, could help make 2015 the biggest year for the box office.

Products tied to the film meanwhile could bring in up to $5 billion in revenue for Walt Disney Company, which paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm in 2012.