Star Wars

The world premiere of the ninth film in the main 'Star Wars' saga did not disappoint -- with epic entrances by everyone from Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley to Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill ... and, of course, their robotic and hairy friends.

Countless fans in cosplay lined up outside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood Monday night as Stormtroopers marched into the 'Rise of Skywalker' event, followed by beloved droids C-3PO and R2-D2.

Not to be outdone ... BB-8 rolled in with franchise newcomer D-O, an excitable little droid who looked very happy to be there. Of course, Chewbacca always steals the show when he shows up.

John Boyega, director J.J. Abrams and Billy Dee Williams were also at the premiere -- 'cause it ain't a party until Lando shows up. As for how the finale of the franchise's third trilogy was received -- cheers reportedly erupted throughout the screening, and the audience rose to its feet for a standing ovation after the credits rolled.

As we reported ... 'Star Wars' enthusiasts have camped out for days in Hollywood in anticipation of the world premiere event and its arrival to theaters Friday.

'Star Wars' nerds are out in full force in anticipation of a new movie from a galaxy far, far away -- fans are setting up shop days before 'The Rise of Skywalker' drops in Hollywood -- in hopes of getting a glimpse of the stars at Monday's premiere.

Check out these pics of the huge line forming Monday morning outside the world-famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre ... there are children in line with their parents even though the movie doesn't come out until Thursday ... talk about dedication.

The fact moviegoers are lining up for the final film in this latest 'Star Wars' trilogy is pretty amazing ... not just because of the long, chilly wait they're in for -- you can see folks bundled up -- but also because the theater only offers reserved seating!!!

It's also possible the fans head home after Monday's premiere where celebs like Daisy Ridley, Billie Lourd, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Mark Hamill and more are slated to attend.

So, it's not like you actually need to get in line over 72 hours before 'Skywalker' drops to secure your seat inside Grauman's -- but these fans seem ready for the long haul, with chairs, blankets, and camping equipment balanced on all those famous concrete handprints.

We're guessing these nerds just like the idea of waiting around with their fellow 'Star Wars' fans and trying to be part of the historic release -- it's almost become a right of passage of sorts.

Rian Johnson is just like the rest of us when it comes to the new 'Star Wars' movie ... he hasn't seen it yet, despite him directing its predecessor in the series.

The filmmaker opened up to us this weekend in NYC about whether he'd gotten any sort of sneak peak ahead of 'The Rise of Skywalker' hitting theaters later this month. As it turns out ... he hasn't! No special treatment for the guy who manned 'The Last Jedi,' it seems.

It's NBD to Rian though -- he tells us he's looking forward to watching it in theaters for the first time like everyone else. Interestingly, he also says he hopes it's the best one ever.

Now, on to a much more serious topic we absolutely needed Rian to weigh in on ... is Baby Yoda actually cuter than those damn puppy-eyed Porgs??? John Boyega sure thought so.

Check out RJ's answer ... he's noncommittal at first on which one is truly more adorable -- almost like a parent who doesn't wanna compare their kids -- but he finally caves and chooses sides. His choice might not surprise you, or anyone who's watched 'Mandalorian.'

John Boyega's not dwelling on his epic screw-up that resulted in the "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" script landing on eBay -- and he's urging the film's director to let it go too.

We got John -- AKA Finn in the latest 'Star Wars' trilogy -- Wednesday outside ABC in NYC and he defended his confession about accidentally leaving his script behind at his apartment. His cleaning lady found it and eventually posted it on the auction site.

Boyega tells us it was an accident, and even though he knows J.J. Abrams is peeved about it ... John puts a positive spin on the snafu. He thinks Abrams should "get over it" because of the old adage -- there's no such thing as bad pub.

(And, for the concerned fans out there, don't worry -- Disney execs noticed the listing of the script and got it removed from eBay.)

John also weighed in on the current debate over who's cuter in the 'Star Wars' universe -- Baby Yoda from "The Mandalorian" ... or the Porgs from 'The Last Jedi.'

If you've lost one or more friends down the Disney+ wormhole today, here's why -- how freakin' adorable is baby Yoda??? Or terrifying ... depends on your perspective.

Yes, the infant/future Jedi master ... is just one of the 'Star Wars' characters introduced in "The Mandalorian," the new Jon Favreau directed series that debuted when Disney launched its stupidly hyped streaming service at midnight.

Look around you ... more people out "sick" from work? Here's why -- the service gives fans instant access to, not only 'Mandalorian,' but ALL VII 'Star Wars' episodes, ALL the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and TV shows today, and of course ALL of Disney and Pixar's smash hit animated movies.

That's right ... now you can hear "Let It Go" on repeat for $6.99/month. Sorry.

Of course, that all assumes you can login to the service. Disney+ soft-launched in the U.S., Canada and The Netherlands ... but many users (check your social media) are complaining about connectivity issues.

Bummer for Ralph of "Wreck-It Ralph" fame -- he pulled the short straw to get the honor of greeting users who couldn't log in to the service.

Still, the positive buzz is definitely outweighing the negative, so far.

Just ask longtime character actor Brian Posehn (you know that face) who totally geeked out binging 'Mandalorian' overnight. Looks like he scored an uncredited cameo in it, too! The Force is strong with this one.

If you're rich and a huge 'Star Wars' nerd ... GET YOUR WALLET READY!!!

The most-rare, sought-after, expensive 'Star Wars' collectible ever is about to hit the auction block -- a missile-firing Boba Fett action figure ... and it could fetch around $500,000!!!!

It's called the "Boba Fett J-Slot Rocket-Firing Prototype" -- it was debuted at the 1979 New York Toy Fair ... but never released to the public because officials at Kenner worried the "missile" could be a choking hazard for kids.

A revised version of the Boba Fett figure was released, but without the missile-firing function. Still cool, but not as fun! And, not nearly as valuable.

There are reportedly only around 25 of the rare J-Slot Fett's (with the rocket) in existence -- most of which are in bad shape -- and the good ones rarely go up for auction.

But, one has made its way to Hake's Auctions in New York where it's officially on the auction block ... and fans are FREAKING THE HELL OUT!

There have already been 13 bids on the item and the current price is $133k -- but the auction doesn't close until Nov. 7 and officials are expecting a bidding war to drive the price way up in the final days/hours.

In the past, rare Fetts have fetched anywhere between $80k and $150k -- and a similar piece was featured on "Pawn Stars" a few years back.

But, on the new auction site, Hake's estimates the value could reach $500,000 ... which is only slightly less than the $650k Mark Hamill was reportedly paid for starring in the original 'Star Wars' movie!

The Empire is striking back again, but not in a galaxy far, far away ... Darth Vader's in action high above the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the UK.

The hot air balloon is repping the Dark Side on the first day of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. The event is Europe's largest annual gathering of the big-ass gasbags, attracting more than 130 hot air balloons from around the world.

Clearly, Vader stands out among the pack ... and has us clamoring for many more 'Star Wars'-themed balloons to battle it out in the sky.

It looks like that's not going to happen, though ... so we'll settle for the other cool hot air balloons in the shape of bears, owls, and koalas.

But, we all know who their father is ... and Mark Hamill agrees.

Carrie Fisher is still years away from getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame despite a massive push from Mark Hamill and "Star Wars" fans ... but when she does, she won't be replacing Donald Trump's star.

Mark ignited the movement to get Carrie a star to replace Trump's ... tweeting Wednesday morning in favor of the West Hollywood City Council approving a proposal calling for the removal of the President's star.

Luke Skywalker's stance quickly gained traction, but we're told Carrie finally getting a star is still gonna take some time.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce tells TMZ ... they would love to consider Carrie for a star on the Walk of Fame, but because it didn't happen before her death ... the process is a little complicated.

In most instances, a celeb can be nominated by anyone, but the application has to include a written statement from the celeb stating she or he wants the star and will attend the ceremony if approved.

But, in the case of a deceased celeb ... the Chamber of Commerce can only give out a star on the 5th anniversary of their passing, and with the written consent of their family members ... and only one deceased nominee gets approved each year.

Trump's star has been targeted by vandals time and time again ... being defaced by fake blood, a golden toilet and a pickax.

While some want Trump's star scrubbed forever ... the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce tells us that ain't happening ... and they say they would never replace any celeb's star in favor of someone else's.

Trump received his star in 2007 for his work producing beauty pageants ... and Hamill got his star last year, with Harrison Ford paying tribute to Carrie during the ceremony.

Katy Perry went into full geek mode at Disneyland ... just like the rest of the world visiting the park's newest attraction.

Katy and her fam hit up Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Tuesday and there was no shortage of fandom explosions. She was there with her fiance, Orlando Bloom, who challenged her to a lightsaber duel ... though Katy wanted no part of it cause she was in the middle of Instagramming the scene.

Check out the pics and vid ... you see Katy -- donning an orange jumpsuit and Mickey Mouse Nike hat -- doing a terrible job behind the Millennium Falcon. It's not us saying that. Her fam's the one busting her chops.

Disneyland is bringing the galaxy far, far away closer than ever ... and Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian and Han Solo simply couldn't miss it.

The famed California theme park is launching a new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge attraction, and 3 of the biggest stars from the franchise -- Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams -- joined creator George Lucas to cut the ribbon on the hyped up fantasy world.

The 4 'Star Wars' legends took the stage together Wednesday to welcome the first guests to the planet Batuu ... with the Millennium Falcon as a fitting backdrop.

Disney CEO Bob Iger introduced Lucas first to speak to the crowd about Galaxy's Edge ... which he referred to as "Star Tours on steroids." Star Tours was the first 'Star Wars'-themed ride at the park -- it opened a long time ago ... in 1986.

Williams and Hamill spoke after that, with Mark saying this was the first time he's been to a grand opening event since Star Tours.

Then it was time to fire up the Falcon, but there were technical difficulties ... which was Ford's cue to enter. Harrison gave the space ship a couple hard whacks to get it going ... and gave a shout-out to the late Chewbacca actor, Peter Mayhew.

Phase One of Galaxy's Edge opens Friday -- which includes the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride and all the shops and restaurants. Another major ride, Rise of the Resistance, will open later in 2019 as part of Phase Two.

George Lucas might wanna pay close attention to this -- original design blueprints for 3 major vehicles from his 1977 sci-fi classic are up for auction, and we know he's got a spot for 'em.

The folks over at RR Auction are handling the "Hollywood Auction" bids featuring blueprints for the iconic vehicles in "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope." First up ... Luke Skywalker's X-34 Landspeeder.

The blueprint features the first design for the desert cruiser used by the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

There's also the super famous TIE fighter, the Imperial fleet's main ride. If you're more of a Rebel Alliance type ... they've got the Y-wing starfighter blueprint.

BTW ... the designs are the work of Steve Gawley, a model builder who worked on the film. Dude is super famous -- he went on to earn an Oscar nom for Best Visual Effects on "Back to the Future Part II."

The 'Star Wars' blueprints are pretty amazing, and super fans can place bids now. The auction ends May 23 ... long before Lucas' $1 billion museum in L.A. is completed.

The joint's slated to open in 2021 and will feature his personal Norman Rockwell art collection, as well as 'Star Wars' items like Darth Vader's original mask -- and maybe some original blueprints???

It's 'Star Wars' day and there is no better way to honor the universal phenomenon than by journeying back into the galaxy!!!

Travel in time to see some of the faces you may not recognize today ... From Anakin Skywalker and Darth Maul to young Boba Fett and C-3PO, there are plenty of characters from the franchise that have completely transformed over the years.

Take a good look at what the cast members looked like back in the day, and then cruise through our gallery of the some of the cast to see what they look like today!!!

Chewbacca's howling in heaven today ... Peter Mayhew -- the man behind the mask of the iconic 'Star Wars' character -- has died ... according to his family.

We're told the actor died from a heart condition Tuesday at his home in North Texas, and was surrounded by friends and family. Peter played Chewie in all three films of the original 'Star Wars' trilogy, and did it all over again decades later in 'The Revenge of the Sith' and in 2015's 'The Force Awakens.'

His family says Peter fought his way back from being in a wheelchair to star in 'The Force Awakens' before retiring. However, he served as a consultant to Joonas Suotamo -- the Finnish basketball player who took over the role in 'The Last Jedi.'

Mayhew's survived by his wife and 3 children. His family is asking fans to donate to the Peter Mayhew Foundation -- which benefits families around the world in crisis situations -- in lieu of sending flowers or gifts.

They add ... there will be a memorial service for family in June, but in December ... they're planning to hold a service fans can attend in Los Angeles.

Peter was 74.

Ahmed Best -- the man who played the most despised and ridiculed 'Star Wars' character -- says George Lucas naming Jar Jar Binks as his favorite character is helping him heal lasting wounds.

Ahmed tells us George's surprise pick is putting him on a really strong path to healing ... after dealing with thoughts of suicide following the enormous backlash he faced over his role in the 'Star Wars' saga.

In case you missed it ... the famed director raised eyebrows among even the most die-hard 'Star Wars' fans earlier this week, when he called into a fan event marking the 20th anniversary of "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" and named Jar Jar as his all-time fav.

Critics teed off on Jar Jar for years ... calling the amphibious alien creature a terrible exercise in child-pleasing, who perpetuated racist stereotypes with a strange Caribbean accent.

Ahmed says the backlash wreaked havoc on his career ... because his movie offers dried-up and he was never approached to play different roles in the new 'Star Wars' movies. Ahmed says being black didn't help his cause either, and other black actors were stigmatized as well.

The end of the last Star Wars trilogy now has a name -- 'The Rise of Skywalker' -- and the world just got its first look at the trailer with a spectacular premiere in a galaxy not far ... from Lake Michigan.

Director J.J. Abrams and much of the cast were at Star Wars Celebration Chicago -- think Comic-Con strictly for 'Star Wars' -- when they pulled the curtain back on the highly anticipated trailer. Aside from revealing the title ... it also had Mark Hamill's voice and at least one scene with the late Carrie Fisher.

One of the bigger surprises is the creepy laugh at the end of the trailer ... signaling the return of the Emperor, as in Palpatine.

When the trailer ended ... Ian McDiarmid, the guy who plays the Emperor, was standing on the Chicago stage -- and delivered a message in character.

Watch ... the crowd went wild, and the Force was definitely with them.

Jamie Foxx must be thinking J.J. Abrams is shooting a movie on the streets of Malibu -- 'cause why the hell else would he run into a real-life robot working security at the beach??

The actor was out for lunch with a pal at the Malibu Village shopping center Wednesday afternoon when he came upon the K5 Knightscope -- an autonomous surveillance machine, and possible distant cousin of R2-D2 ... we're checking.

Anyway, Jamie was pretty astonished by K5.

The Oscar winner gave the security guard a once over and even busted out his phone for a photo, 'cause y'know ... pics or it didn't happen!.

K5 is pretty new to the area, but spokespeople for the shopping center have said its purpose is to keep the community safe by thwarting criminal activity and assisting police officers.

The machine is capable of securing large outdoor areas like parking lots, malls, campuses, etc ... it's also great at making famous friends.

If only it could host the Oscars!