Leave the sabers at home when you see ‘Star Wars’

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – the eagerly anticipated next chapter of the film series unmatched in merchandising and cultural impact – began showing Thursday night at Joliet-area cinemas. It is expected to be one of the most successful movies in history, breaking many records along the way.

Here in Queensland fans dressed up as Wookies, Jedis, Stormtroopers and Ewoks to feast their eyes, hearts and minds on “Episode 7 – The Force Awakens”. Movie ticket sales website Fandango as of Wednesday evening showed that three of tonight’s six screenings at NCG Marietta were sold out, but seats were still available for the 2D version’s screening at 9 p.m. and the 3D version’s 11 p.m. and midnight showings.

Ian Fraser – from Perth – tweeted at the playhouse at 1:40am, saying: “Dear Perth Playhouse, I suggest you fix the movie quickly or else you might have a riot on your hands”. It is the first movie in the franchise in 10 years.

“I’m excited because it was such a big part of your childhood when you grew up in the seventies and the eighties”, Scott Searle said. Barry Wygel was at Crossgates Mall and has more on why fans got such an early start for a movie that’s not released until 7 p.m. He remembers when the original Star Wars premiered in Springfield in 1977.

Well, they would have if most theaters hadn’t banned toy weapons. “I can’t wait to see the film”.

Regal Cinemas across the country, won’t allow masks, props, face paint or weapons, including light sabers and face-obscuring hoods. It also will beef up the number of off-duty police officers working at the theater on Thursday and throughout the weekend to help ensure the premiere weekend is incident free.

He added: “We understand completely the deep disappoint our customers faced, given the levels of anticipation for this special event, and we are thankful to the audience in attendance for their understanding”.