Rogue One Premiere Blasts Off in Hollywood

Diego Luna, Felicity Jones attend the world premiere of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” in Hollywood, CA, December 10, 2016. Photo © 2016 Joseph Martinez/ Picturelux – All Rights Reserved

Behold, as the Star Wars Galaxy commandeered Hollywood Boulevard and transformed it into a rebel stronghold. Or at least that’s what Disney seemed to be aiming for at the World Premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on Saturday (December 10, 2016) at the Pantages Theater. It was a scene from a galaxy far, far away as a full sized X-wing Rebel Alliance star fighter was firmly guarding the premiere entrance and various other props and costumes lined the red carpet as well.

As a testament to the scale of the premiere, five blocks of Hollywood boulevard (from Cahuenga Boulevard to Gower Street) were shut down for the event, and boasted an extravagant tented red carpet. Onlookers stood on each side of the entrance to the carpet, with Imperial fans on one and rebels on the other.

Several of the film’s stars came out for the big event including Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen and Ben Mendelsohn to name a few.  Celebrities that weren’t a part of the Star Wars franchise were on-hand as well for the premiere including Michael Douglas, Rainn Wilson, Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Jaime King, Ricky Martin and Chris Hardwick.

On the fashion side, Felicity Jones wore a striking floor-length Christian Dior gown that was quite delicately intricate. With a corset bodice, metallic sheen, and intricate details all over thanks to its clover-patterned lace, she lit up the Rogue One carpet and beamed as she greeted fans and posed for photographers. Jones who plays the character Jyn Erso in the film, tells The  Hollywood Reporter about her take on the female lead,  [beautifulquote align=”full” cite=””]She is a leader, but she is not bossy, which is a wonderful distinction,”…  “She is someone who has a command, but does it in a way where she trusts the people around her.[/beautifulquote]

According to the LA Times, The new movie is expected to earn $140 million to $150 million upon it’s opening in the U.S. and Canada alone through Sunday after hitting theaters Thursday evening, this per a review of audience surveys,  and is in-line to have one of the biggest domestic openings of the year. It also has the potential to earn $150 million in international ticket sales this weekend for a possible global total of about $300 million.

Disney, which paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm in 2012, has various “Star Wars” movies planned during the next several years. Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Felicity Jones and Mads Mikkelsen, was conceived as the first of this string of “standalone” films, connected to but outside the main narrative of “Episode” films. (Star Wars Episode VIII, directed by Rian Johnson, is due for release in December 2017.) The next standalone, or “anthology” film is an as-yet untitled story about a young Han Solo, set for release in 2018.

Rogue One centers on the rebel fighters who are charged with stealing the plans to the newly constructed Death Star. They are led by Jyn Erso, played by the English actress Felicity Jones.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits US theaters on December 16, 2016.

Photos © 2016 Joseph Martinez/ Picturelux – All Rights Reserved