‘Force Awakens’ carpet includes stormtroopers, droids, stars

George Lucas was winding down with his red carpet interview Monday night at the Hollywood premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens when an unexpected guest popped into the shot.

Here’s a taste of what people are saying after the premiere of the seventh movie in the “Star Wars” franchise.

Last month, Elizabeth told the story of how she converted her sons Felix, four, and Magnus, three, into true Star Wars fans on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is set 30 years after the return of the Jedi.

Out in theaters on Friday, The Force Awakens follows tenacious scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) as her fate becomes intertwined with that of rebel Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and a ball-like droid named BB-8. “We also knew that certain things were inevitable in our minds but that didn’t mean it would be inevitable for whoever came in next”.

“Now we have to live up to what the first films delivered, ” said Ford, who has returned to his role as Han Solo.

Monday’s premiere is the culmination of years of planning, filming and marketing “Star Wars” for a new generation.

The premiere’s red carpet kicked off with Stormtroopers marching and droids rolling past cameras before the film’s stars arrived.

Stars attended from the original series, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, as well as newcomers including John Boyega and Daisy Ridley.

Disney took over a half-mile section of Hollywood Boulevard for the premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, complete with fan bleachers and spotlights everywhere. “I had the same feeling as when I would watch these films as a kid”.

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 Wednesday when a media embargo is lifted.

“I’m just trying to get home, and I’ve to go through security just to walk down the sidewalk”, one woman said.

Video games web site IGN entertainment editor Terri Schwartz: “Everything I could possibly say about #StarWars #TheForceAwakens is a spoiler, so I will say that it’s super fun and beautifully shot!”