Gold Coast Star Wars fans flock to Rise of Skywalker release for epic grand finale

Fans have flocked to cinemas across the Gold Coast to see the epic finale to the Star Wars franchise. Here’s their first reaction.

THE force will be with Gold Coast Star Wars fans today as they flock to cinemas see the sci-fi legend’s grand finale.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released in theatres at midnight with hundreds of fans across the city lining up to be among the first to enjoy the J.J Abrams-directed epic.

Among was Nerang superfan Sean Mays, who saw the movie in costume at Coomera and is already planning to see it again tonight.

Star Wars fan Sean Mays donned his Stormtrooper costume for the premiere. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The 27-year-old EB Games worker, who dressed as a Clone Trooper, said it was an occasion decades in the making.

“I am so excited about this, especially for those who grew up watching the Star Wars films,” Mr Mays said yesterday.

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“I rewatched the two most recent films – The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi – and seeing them together you can really see how they all fit together.

“Now I’m super keen to see how they get to the end point.”

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is set a year after 2017’s The Last Jedi and follows the Resistance, led by Princess Leia (the late Carrie Fisher) as it prepares for its final battle with the evil First Order.

Stars John Boyega and Kelly Marie Tran have already attended the world premiere. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

It will conclude the nine-film story of the Skywalker family which began with 1977’s Star Wars.

But it won’t mean the end of the Star Wars universe, with new films expected to hit cinemas in 2021 or 2022 which will tell new stories.

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The universe will also continue to be explored in the new Disney+ television series The Mandalorian and the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series starring Ewan McGregor.