Star Wars trailer goes down a storm

Star Wars fans hailed the trailer for the latest instalment in the franchise as “spectacular”, with plenty of drama to keep moviegoers on the edge of their seats as they await the full release later this year.

Sat, 18 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

As people packed into the main hall at the Anaheim Convention Centre in California for a Star Wars Celebration which featured director JJ Abrams and some of the cast members, fans worldwide enjoyed a livestream of the event.

Die-hard fans were treated to a clip featuring X-Wing battles, the Millennium Falcon in action, the wreckage of a star destroyer and a first look at Harrison Ford as Han Solo.

Ford could not attend the event as he is still recovering after crash-landing his plane last month, but Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said the veteran actor is resting and getting well at home.

Cast newcomers Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega made surprise appearances at the event alongside regulars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels and Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew.

Abrams, who is editing of the film which he has described as a western and a fairytale, said he had focused on making the sets for the new movie as real as possible. “The thing that struck me ... is how real you knew and felt Star Wars was when you first saw A New Hope,” he said.

“You want it to be legitimate. You want it to be authentic. Building as much as we could was really the mandate.”

Solo’s declaration: “Chewie, we’re home,” at the end of the trailer drew screams and applause from the US audience.

Fans also aired their delight on Twitter.”