- Title: Fan fervor not diminished by reviews as final 'Star Wars' launches in Hollywood
- Date: 20th December 2019
- Summary: LIGHT SHOW BEFORE THE FIRST SCREENING AT THE EL CAPITAN THEATRE
- Embargoed: 3rd January 2020 04:19
- Keywords: Carrie Fisher Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker Todd Fisher fans
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES; UNIDENTIFIED FILMING LOCATIONS
- City: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES; UNIDENTIFIED FILMING LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA006BAS4X1P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Lukewarm reviews didn't dampen the spirits of 'Star Wars' fans in Hollywood on Thursday (December 19) as they hit iconic cinemas on Hollywood Boulevard to take in the last episode of the Skywalker Saga, 'The Rise of Skywalker'.
TCL Chinese Theatre celebrated the film's first day in cinemas with numerous events, including a costume competition hosted by the late Carrie Fisher's brother, Todd Fisher.
She appears in the movie by using footage she had shot from previous films. When asked about all the fans descending on Hollywood, Todd Fisher said, "I feel her here because she's with all of her friends. I mean, she is one with her friends. My mother taught my sister and I long ago that who would you be without your fans and this is really true in this moment - never more true Carrie and her fans are now one."
Across the street, the El Capitan theatre, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company, held a 24-hour movie marathon of Episodes 1 - 8, which culminated with the first screening of 'The Rise of Skywalker'.
Fans camped out in the theatre with pillows, blankets, food supplies and Star Wars toys to watch the films and were unabated by the reviews, which have been some of the worst for any in the franchise since it began in 1977.
"I'm not worried about the reviews," said one marathon-goer, Mark Masaoay, adding, "Just the fact that we come to a conclusion after all these years. I mean, how many times can we have a series that lasts this long? So for it to come to a conclusion and from what I hear, it's also pretty good so we're just hoping for the best and whatever the outcome is, it's been a great journey."
Disney still has plans to make more Star Wars films but they have not committed to giving a release date for anything new. Bob Iger, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, told Reuters at the premiere, "We haven't said what it will be. We've suggested when it will be. We're going to make sure we take our time until we know that it's right."
(Production: Rollo Ross) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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