It was May 25 1977 that George Lucas’ Star Wars was premiered at the Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.
Thousands of people lined the street and nearby lanes were closed off as the $9million science fiction film – which many, Lucas among them, believed may flop – got its first showing on the big screen.
Thirty-eight years, billions of dollars and a further five movies – including three iffy prequels – later, the franchise finds itself in the hands of JJ Abrams.
And in the early hours of this morning fans in Aberdeen became a part of Star Wars’ cinematic saga as they sacrificed sleep and risked weary mornings of work to watch one of the most highly-anticipated films of all time, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The city’s Cineworld in Union Square was full to the brim for the midnight screenings of the film – which brings back iconic characters from the classic trilogy such as Hans Solo and Princess Leia.
Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, Chewbacca and the princess herself were among the characters seen waiting in line for popcorn and drinks just before midnight last night, with queues backing up out of the cinema itself and into the upper floor of the mall.
Due to high demand, the cinema had to increase the number of showings of the films to almost all of its 10 screening rooms.
The excitement among fans was palpable as the screenings themselves were pushed back about 15 minutes to allow for those still queuing for snacks to make it in time for those glorious golden letters to start gliding through space and THAT theme.
The film is on general release as of today.