Hollywood Prepares For New Star Wars Film

Preparations are in their closing stages for the premiere of one of the most-awaited sequels in cinema history - Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The film - the seventh in the series and the first which, apart from his role in creating some characters, does not involve George Lucas - is due to be shown publicly for the first time in Los Angeles in hours.

The film's stars, including original 1977 cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, are all expected to join director and co-writer J J Abrams on the red carpet at one of the three cinemas showing it.

A new generation of actors are also among the cast - many of them British - including Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Andy Serkis.

The premieres are taking place at LA's TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre and the El Capitan Theatre.

Nearby roads have been closed to traffic, extra police deployed and a huge tent erected over the area.

The TCL Chinese Theatre, one of the cinemas on the Boulevard, hosted the premiere of the first Star Wars movie in 1977.

Fans have been camping outside for several days to ensure they do not miss out on getting the best seat in the theatre when the movie goes on general release on Friday.

Anyone who wants a ticket for the first showing must spend at least 24 hours in the queue to be eligible to buy a pair, and each additional 24 hours gives the option to buy another ticket.

Nate Chukey, 45, has not moved from outside the TCL Chinese Theatre since Saturday, 5 December.

He said the queuing up is part of the experience.

"It's a tradition and I would do it even if the movie was bad. However, with J J Abrams, old special effects, our favourite actors, the only thing left is the writing. It could be good, it could not be," he said.

"Waiting for it like this makes me appreciate it even more."

Lavonne Dominguez, who has been in the queue since last Friday, said is was important to be somewhere that would give her a sense of the occasion.

She said: "I need to see it in an epic place with people who are just as excited about Star Wars as me."

Members of the press have been told not to reveal spoilers of the much-awaited plot, which takes place 30 years after the end of the final episode in the six-part original series, The Return Of The Jedi.

The films premieres in London on 16 December.