'Force Awakens' red carpet includes Stormtroopers, droids

LOS ANGELES — Stormtroopers marched and droids rolled down "The Force Awakens" red carpet Monday, heralding the return of "Star Wars" after a decade-long absence from the big screen.

A giant opaque tent shrouded the red carpet that was lined with Stormtrooper mannequins and neon lights that resembled giant lightsabers.

Before some of the film's human stars arrived, the droid BB-8 rolled by the cameras. The soccerball-esque droid has been a popular fixture in trailers for the seventh "Star Wars" film, and it was soon joined by series mainstays C-3PO and R2-D2.

Early arrivals mixed stars from the original trilogy, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), who play with newcomers Gwendolyn Christie and Daisy Ridley. The women 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.

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. The film will screen at three theaters, allowing more than 5,000 invited guests the chance to see the characters Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo reunite for the first time on the big screen since 1983's "Return of the Jedi."

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.

"I understand the need for security," Arnet said.

But for a lifelong "Star Wars" fan, it was tough being that close to the premiere and not getting a better look. "I wanted to see the old cast members because I grew up with these films," she said.

In bleachers set up on the boulevard, some fans dressed as X-Wing pilots while others held up helmets resembling those worn by bounty hunters in the film.

Many of Hollywod's top stars will join hundreds of costumed fans at what could be the largest Hollywood premiere ever. One of the participating theaters — the iconic TCL Chinese — hosted the premiere of the original "Star Wars" in 1977.

"The Force Awakens" opens to the public Friday and some expect the film to break box office records, as it has already with presale tickets.

The last live-action "Star Wars" film was 2005's "Revenge of the Sith," which capped a prequel trilogy focusing on the story of how Skywalker's father became villain Darth Vader.

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AP Entertainment Writer Marcela Isaza contributed to this report.