A long time ago (last night: December 14) in a galaxy far, far away (Los Angeles), Hollywood's biggest stars gathered for an event that could turn the universe on its axis, free moons from orbit: The premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, Lupita Nyong'o and more landed on spots across the city — TCL Chinese Theater, El Capitan Theater and Dolby Theater — for the film's first big wave of screenings. Complete with a gathering of Storm Troopers, swordplay with prop lightsabers and Joseph Gordon-Levitt dressed as Yoda, the evening seemed like a true testament to the power of The Force. If only vanquishing the dark side played out as seamlessly...

The Force Awakens, which takes place 30 years after 1983's Return Of The Jedi, mixes the franchise's original cast — Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford — with new stars like Ridley, N'yongo and John Boyega, among others. And the fact that the other-worldly story is still exciting crowds is a complete testament to one particular man, director J.J. Abrams told a crowd before the movie began.

"It can't be said enough — not nearly enough — that none of us would be here tonight without the miraculous creation of one man," he said, according to ABC News. "George Lucas, from the bottom of my heart, and behalf of everyone involved with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, thank you, sir."

Check out the celebs lighting up the Star Wars red carpet above, and be sure to catch The Force Awakens in theaters on December 18!

Look back at a collection of celebs who say they nearly died on set:

 

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