Star Wars Cast Out In Force For World Premiere

Two generations of Star Wars actors have walked the red carpet at the world premiere of Episode VII - The Force Awakens in Los Angeles.

The event brought Hollywood Boulevard to a halt as the first screenings of the seventh film in the franchise were held simultaneously at three cinemas.

The new droid BB-8 was one of the first characters to appear in front of the cameras on the red carpet. The football-shaped droid has been a popular fixture in trailers, and it was soon joined by series mainstays C-3PO and R2-D2.

British newcomers Gwendoline Christie and Daisy Ridley were among the first human stars to arrive at the premiere which is one of the biggest LA has seen in years.

Other early arrivals included Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) who stepped out of his car with the help of a lightsaber cane and posed for photographs with Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO in the films.

Christie and Ridley portray the evil Captain Phasma and Rey, two new characters who will be expected to carry the Star Wars franchise as it is introduced to a new generation.

The film also sees the characters Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo reuniting for the first time on the big screen since 1983's Return Of The Jedi.

Harrison Ford, who plays Solo, arrived at the Dolby Theatre with his wife Calista Flockhart.

He said making a Star Wars movie now is a far cry from making one in the 1970s.

"In the 70s nobody knew what to anticipate, nobody had seen anything like it, now we have to live up to what the first films delivered," he said.

But he said he did not feel too much pressure: "It's not my fault, we can blame it on JJ. I just work here," he said.

Hamill described being back as Skywalker after 30 years as "surreal".

Contemplating how she returned to her role as Princess Leia, Carrie Fisher said: "I asked young Carrie Fisher what it was like to be younger but she ignored me. She was out partying to make sure I could look like s**t later."

Star Wars creator George Lucas was spotted laughing and chatting with director and co-writer JJ Abrams.

Lucas has already seen the movie and has reportedly given it his seal of approval.

He said: "It's a film about families and what one generation leaves behind another generation has to deal with.

"I started off wanting to do a film for young people who were going through adolescence, with mythological themes and spiritual themes. That is what resonated with people."

Abrams was overwhelmed by the reception: "It's very surreal. I've never seen this kind of thing.

"It's insane. I feel enormously guilty for this community, this neighbourhood," he told starwars.com.

Security around the site was high, with metal detectors screening pedestrians and police dogs checking the area.

For those without tickets to the premiere, the most they could see was the outside of the tent.

"We're really disappointed because we are big Star Wars fans, and we were hoping to at least see a little of the celebrities," said Natalie Arnet, a tourist from Paris.

The Force Awakens opens in the UK on Thursday and on Friday in the US.

The film has already made box office history in England, where it has sold more than half a million tickets for its opening week at one cinema chain alone.

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