Mark Hamill bid farewell to the franchise that launched his career in style at a futuristic hanger filled with life-size X-Wing fighters in Los Angeles (VALERIE MACON)
<p>Los Angeles (AFP) – The final film in the epic "Star Wars" trilogy of trilogies brought Hollywood to a standstill Monday, as a galaxy of VIPs from the space saga that began four decades ago descended on a glittering world premiere.</p><p>Veterans Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) arrived 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.</p><p>They were joined by a who’s who of Hollywood, with special guests from Steven Spielberg to Spike Lee.</p><p>"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.</p><p>"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." </p><p>"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.</p><p>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. </p><p>Disney chief Bob Iger told AFP that fans would get "some kind of closure, some sense of satisfaction" for their favorite characters.</p><p>"Star Wars is probably the most important, most valuable mythology of our time, of the modern time," he said.</p><p>"If you just consider the global base of fans that have worshipped this storytelling since 1977, over 40 years… tonight being a culmination of nine films is an incredibly important night."</p><p></p><p>- ‘The final word’ -</p><p></p><p>Heading the glitzy premiere were the new film’s young stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac.</p><p>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.</p><p>The film is set one year after its predecessor, and at 141 minutes will be slightly shorter.</p><p>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. </p><p>But his presence has stoked controversy — "Jurassic World" director Colin Trevorrow was initially lined up but was fired for failing to satisfy Lucasfilm bosses with his script.</p><p>And Abrams had to cope with the death of Carrie Fisher, whose iconic Princess Leia was set for a central role in the finale. Leia will instead appear using unused, re-cut footage from Abrams’ last film.</p><p>Meanwhile, Disney has whetted fans’ appetites further by releasing new clips and trailers at the weekend.</p><p>In one, a returning Emperor Palpatine’s voice declares, "This will be the final word in the story of Skywalker," while Star Destroyers and red Stormtroopers battle X-wings and Resistance fighters.</p><p>A second saw the villainous Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) growl, "I know who you are. I know the rest of your story," sending fans abuzz over the long-standing mystery about heroine Rey’s parents.</p><p></p><p>- ‘Blank canvas’ -</p><p></p><p>These are familiar tropes to "Star Wars" aficionados — but it may be the last time they are seen for years.</p><p>"Rise of Skywalker" is the franchise’s fifth film in five years, and Disney has promised to apply the brakes to avoid fatigue.</p><p>The company’s release schedule has untitled "Star Wars" films listed for 2022, 2024 and 2026.</p><p>"We’re in no rush. We know that fans will want another film, or another few films, and we’ll make them," said Iger. </p><p>Until then, fans can make do with Disney+ television series "The Mandalorian", and two further series featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and the stars of hit spin-off movie "Rogue One" (2016).</p><p>"The beauty of all this is that we stand in front of a blank canvas, and we paint and we paint and we paint," added Iger. "And when the picture looks good we’ll show it to the world."</p><p></p>

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.