There were enough stars to fill a galaxy at Saturday’s Los Angeles premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Cast members – both well established, like Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley, and brand new faces such as Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran – walked the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium in royal fashion.
Fitting, as the L.A. premiere made a point of paying tribute to everyone’s favorite Rebel princess, general, and all around hero, Carrie Fisher, who passed suddenly a year ago after finishing her scenes for the film.
Writer/director Rian Johnson prefaced the highly-anticipated screening with these words: “I’d like to dedicate tonight to Carrie. I know she’s up there right now flipping me the bird, saying, ‘[Dang] it, Rian, how dare you bring the mood down and make this night a solemn tribute?’ So let’s have a blast for [her].”
After posting online that he might miss the premiere due to snowy weather in Georgia, John Boyega – who plays new Rebel hero Finn – put in a warmly-welcomed appearance, as did First Order baddies Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, and Gwendoline Christie.
Trying to get back for the LA premiere! I actually NEED a pilot !!!
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) December 9, 2017
The studio went all out with an extravagant after-party decorated like the Canto Bight casino featured in the new film. Stormtroopers and other costumed figures such as Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 added to the ambiance, pausing for plenty of photos with guests.
Meanwhile, across the pond in London, the European premiere is set for Tuesday, December, 12. And a pair of actual princes is expected to put in appearances.
Photos went viral last April of Prince William and Prince Harry having fun with the cast on the Pinewood Studios set, and Boyega has said that the royals filmed cameos, though there’s no official confirmation on whether the scene made the final cut.
Whether or not Prince William and Prince Harry are actually under Stormtrooper helmets in The Last Jedi, the two obviously love the series and are making good use of the buzz: the London screening will benefit their charity, The Royal Foundation.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters this Friday, December 15. Entertainment Earth encourages all of the early birds to avoid spoiling the fun for those who can’t see it right away – but we will let you know the film closes with a lovely dedication to Carrie Fisher’s General Leia.
