Star power and a heavy police presence were at the massive world premiere for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Monday night. Robert Kovacik reports for the NBC4 News at 11 on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
Many of Hollywood's top stars will join hundreds of costumed fans Monday at what could be the largest Hollywood premiere ever.
Three theaters will roll out red carpets for the premiere of the hugely anticipated "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." A half-mile section of Hollywood Boulevard has been closed to traffic and a giant opaque tent now lines four blocks of the famous thoroughfare.
One of the participating theaters -- the iconic TCL Chinese -- hosted the premier of the original "Star Wars" in 1977. The film also will premiere Monday night at the Dolby and El Capitan theaters. Until midnight, Hollywood Boulevard will be closed for four blocks between Sycamore and Highland avenues, where the three theaters are located.
Even the Academy Awards only require a one-block closure.
Fan bleachers are up and spotlights are everywhere. Crews fought strong gusts Monday afternoon as they placed banners along Hollywood Boulevard.
"Preparations are huge," said Sgt. Robert Ward of the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Station.
Los Angeles Police say extra vehicle patrols and more officers on foot are being assigned to the area. "Star Wars" fans have braved rain and cold wind outside the Hollywood Boulevard theater, waiting for the Friday opening.
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"Star Wars" devotee Jason Thomas and several dozen others have camped out in front of the TCL Chinese Theater for more than a week.
"I've been waiting for this before I was born," said Thomas. "It was my destiny to be here. I'm not a religious man, but if I had one, it'd be 'Star Wars.'"
