'Star Wars' grips Hollywood with 'Rise of Skywalker' premiere

The final film in the epic "Star Wars" trilogy of trilogies brought Hollywood to a standstill, as a galaxy of VIPs from the space saga that began four decades ago descended on a glittering world premiere.

Veterans Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) arrived Monday to bid farewell to the movies that launched their careers in style at a futuristic hangar filled with life-size X-wing starfighters in Los Angeles.

They were joined by a who's who of Hollywood, with special guests from Steven Spielberg to Spike Lee.

"Tonight, looking at this whole mise-en-scene is quite bewildering," Anthony Daniels, who has played droid C-3PO in every main "Star Wars" film, told AFP.

Pedro Pascal attends the Premiere of Disney's "Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker."

"In fact, it's such a big experience that I'm not sure I can quite cope with it. But I do feel proud to be here and proud to be part of it."

"The Rise of Skywalker" officially concludes the so-called "Skywalker saga" of films begun by George Lucas in 1977 -- a fact Disney's all-conquering publicity machine has used to ramp up hype on an intergalactic scale.

Analysts predict a stellar $200-$225 million at domestic box offices this

weekend, which would put the film among the biggest openings in movie history.

Disney chief Bob Iger told AFP that fans would get "some kind of closure, some sensef satisfaction" for their favorite characters.

Stormtrooper characters appear on the red carpet at world premiere.

'The final word'

Heading the glitzy premiere were the new film's young stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac.

Plot details have been kept tightly under wraps. But director JJ Abrams has said the trio's characters -- Rey, Finn and Poe -- will be reunited on-screen, after scattering for 2017's "The Last Jedi", which divided fans.

While Disney has embargoed full reviews until Wednesday, social media reaction from those inside the three Hollywood theaters blocked out for Monday night's event was broadly positive.

"Epic. All of it," tweeted Erik Davis, managing editor of Fandango movie website, calling the finale a "wonderful way to end the Skywalker story."

"It's amazing," wrote The Hollywood Reporter's Ryan Parker. "'Last Jedi' haters will be very pleased."

R2-D2 (L) and C-3PO arrive for the world premiere of Disney's "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker."

The film is set one year after its predecessor, and at 141 minutes will be slightly shorter.

Abrams returns after his first outing, 2015's "The Force Awakens", broke the all-time North American box office record, making him the only person other than Lucas trusted to helm multiple "Star Wars" installments. 

'Blank canvas'

These are familiar tropes to "Star Wars" aficionados -- but it may be the last time they are seen for years.

"Rise of Skywalker" is the franchise's fifth film in five years, and Disney has promised to apply the brakes to avoid fatigue.

The company's release schedule has untitled "Star Wars" films listed for 2022, 2024 and 2026.

Agence France-Presse