Hundreds of Gold Coast Star Wars fans will be out in force tonight for Rogue One premiere

THE Force is strong with this one, as hundreds of Gold Coast Star Wars fans flock to cinemas for the latest sci-fi adventure.

THE Force is strong with this one, as hundreds of Gold Coast Star Wars fans flock to cinemas for the latest sci-fi adventure.

More than 500 devotees of the beloved space saga will get their long-awaited first glimpse at cinemas across the city at midnight for the premier of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Ladies dig a Stormtrooper — Star Wars fan Sean May was mobbed on Surfers Paradise beach by Brazilian tourists who loved his classic Stormtrooper costume from Star Wars. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Among those ready for the special effects extravaganza is Nerang fan Sean May who is one of the city’s most passionate supports of the George Lucas-created series.

Mr May yesterday hit Surfers Paradise beach in his classic Imperial Stormtrooper armour to lap up some rays before tonight’s screening.

Sean May, 24, kept an eye on swimmers on the beach. Picture Glenn hampson

GOLD COAST FANS LINE UP FOR STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

The 24 year-old said he was looking forward to the new films after seeing the originals as a child.

“I grew up with these movies and I am really excited to see Rogue One tonight at the midnight screening,” he said.

Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn plays Imperial Director Orson Krennic.

“I have avoided most of the spoilers so looking forward to some surprises and a really thrilling night.

“You only get to see a movie for the first time once and I am keen to recapture that awesome feeling I got when seeing Episode I: The Phantom Menace at the cinema.”

Star Wars costumes draw a crowd. Picture Glenn hampson

Rogue One comes just a year after the most recent film in the saga, The Force Awakens.

Rogue One features Scarif, a tropical beach planet where the Imperial Navy’s forces battle the Rebel Alliance.

But don’t expect to see a continuation of that film’s cliffhanger ending, this year’s tale is a stand-alone prequel, jumping back to the days immediately before the original 1977 Star Wars film A New Hope.

Stormtroopers on the beach featured in Rogue One ... and on the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn hampson

It focuses on a group of desperate soldiers sent by the Rebel Alliance to steal plans for the Death Star, a moon-sized battle station, from the Galactic Empire.

Stealing the plans for the Death Star was only mentioned briefly in the original 1977 film.

Tickets went on sale last month and just a handful of seats remain available for the series of screenings which will be held from Midnight.

More than 14 theatres will screen the film in a series of late night sessions before widespread release begins from 9.30am tomorrow.

Baze Malbus (played by Jiang Wen) is one of the rebels who fights the Empire.

The new Gareth Edwards-directed film features newcomers Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso and Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, as well as Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn as Imperial Director Orson Krennic.

Sean May checks the time and that’s right, Star Wars is back in cinemas at midnight. Picture Glenn hampson

The $200 million film also marks the return of the Empire’s villainous Sith Lord, Darth Vader, who will again be voiced by James Earl Jones.

Veteran actor Forest Whitaker plays rebel Saw Gerrera in Rogue One.