'Star Wars' Premiere Largest in Hollywood's History, Bigger than Oscar

They have braved rain, cold wind and noise from premiere preparations outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, and now just four days remain before an estimated two dozen Star Wars fans can end their camp-out and go inside the Hollywood Boulevard theater when “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens to the public.

The campers will be watching from a distance with envy Monday night, when crowds of Hollywood insiders will be on hand as the long-awaited film premieres at the Chinese Theatre, as well as 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 -- for what could be the largest movie premiere in Hollywood history. Even the Academy Awards only require a one-block closure.

“Preparations are huge,” said Sgt. Robert Ward of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Station, who told City News Service that he counted the number of campers.

The campers have been staked out in front of the Chinese Theatre at Orange Drive and Hollywood Boulevard for days and their numbers have grown to 25, Ward said.

While they will have to leave the four-block area for Monday night’s star-studded premiere, the theater reportedly will hold their gear until they can return after the premiere crowd leaves.

The LAPD’s Hollywood Station alone will deploy 70 officers to secure the premiere, Ward said. Other divisions also will provide officers, and studios will employ private security for their VIPs.

“I expect a couple of arrests,” Ward said. That’s because either private security guards or police usually arrest a few bold people who try to talk their way into premieres or sneak in, he said.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of LucasFilms