|
 “I want to dedicate tonight to Carrie, who is up there right now
flipping me the bird, saying ‘Damn it Rian, don’t you dare make
this night a solemn tribute,’” the film’s writer-director Rian
Johnson said as he introduced the screening.
“So let’s all have a blast tonight for Carrie,” he said.
The film ends with a dedication to Fisher, who plays Princess
Leia. The actress died at age 60 last December after completing
her work on “The Last Jedi”.
Her character, now known as General Leia Organa, leader of the
Resistance, plays a key role in the film.
Walt Disney Co.’s DIS.N “The Last Jedi”, out in U.S. theaters on
Dec. 15, follows 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and picks
up with the Resistance fighting off Supreme Leader Snoke’s First
Order which is trying to take control of the galaxy.
Rey (Daisy Ridley), meanwhile, tries to convince Luke Skywalker
(Mark Hamill) to join the Resistance fight and bring a spark of
hope to the rebels against Snoke’s tyrannical rule.
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The film explores themes of the battle to find a balance in the
Force, the supernatural energy that runs through the fictional “Star
Wars” galaxy. Reviews of the film are embargoed until Dec. 12.
The star-studded ensemble cast, including Ridley, John Boyega,
Lupita Nyong'o, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis and Hamill, walked the red
carpet at the premiere, surrounded by droids and Stormtroopers.
Guests walked into the entrance of the premiere flanked by
larger-than-life AT-AT Walker transport vehicles.
Johnson paid tribute to Fisher on the red carpet.
“Once the audience sees her performance in this movie, she's going
to be there in all our hearts,” he said. “It's bizarre not having
her here tonight. She would be the life of the party.”
(Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; editing by Jason Neely)
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