Star Wars: The Force Awakens world premiere in L.A. causes traffic snarls, lineups
Tent spanning four city blocks snarls traffic as fans line up for Star Wars opening in L.A.
Crews are setting up a massive tent and fans are already lining up in advance of the Star Wars world premiere in Los Angeles.
The tent spans an unprecedented four blocks along Hollywood Boulevard. Traffic has been blocked for days near the Chinese Theater, one of the city's most popular tourist destinations.
"It's like this volcano is rising up," said Anthony Daniels, who portrays robot C-3PO in the Star Wars film series, describing the anticipation for the film when he sat down with CBC News earlier this week. "People just so long to see this, to see J.J. Abrams' ideas come physically to be on the screen."
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The highly anticipated Episode VII: The Force Awakens, directed by Abrams (Star Trek, Mission: Impossible III), has been kept tightly under wraps since filming began in April 2014.
While the movie officially opens Dec.18, a red carpet premiere will take place on Monday evening in Los Angeles.
Another special screening a day before the worldwide release will take place Dec. 17 at the Chinese Theater, where the first Star Wars also had its premiere in 1977.
Devoted fans have camped outside the famous spot for more than a week to snag the best seats for the Dec. 17 screening and try to catch a glimpse of the film's stars at the Dec. 14 premiere.
Jesse Brown, who is from outside Vancouver and has been living in Los Angeles for 14 years, has spent 12 days in line.
"We just want to show our appreciation and the love that we have for Star Wars," he said, sitting near fellow fans outside the theatre after taking a nap under blankets on the pavement.
"What's great about loving Star Wars is that you don't have to speak the same language. Because we love the same thing, we can communicate on the same level."
Daniels, whose familiar voice and mannerisms have been behind the beloved robot since the beginning of the franchise, said he's observed similar reactions from fans to Star Wars over the years.
"There is something absolutely visceral in many people's lives that attaches them to these films," he said. "We all feel, 'This belongs to me'."