Star Wars fans were given the longest look yet at the upcoming The Force Awakens film in an action-packed trailer.
The two-and-a-half minute trailer, which debuted during halftime of ESPN's National Football League game, quickly attracted more than 17,000 tweets per minute, according to Twitter. It was viewed on You Tube more than 220,000 times within the first 20 minutes.
Tickets for the film’s US release on December 18 went on pre-sale at the same time as the trailer on Monday, with US ticket seller Fandango crashing temporarily.
The trailer, which featured franchise veterans Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher alongside a cast of newcomers, kicked off with lead character Rey (Daisy Ridley) as a scavenger presumed to be the daughter of Princess Leia (Fisher) and Han Solo (Ford).
The trailer provides the vast scope the new film will be taking
Fisher makes her trailer debut as Leia as she is embraced by Han Solo. Leia is heard saying “The Force, it’s calling to you. Just let it in.” Notably missing was Mark Hamill, who reprised his role as Luke Skywalker but is yet to be seen in character.
The trailer provides the vast scope the new film will be taking and the challenges that its leading characters will face.
Finn (John Boyega), a Stormtrooper on the run, says “I was raised to do one thing, but I’ve got nothing to fight for,” and is later seen battling villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).
Kylo Ren is shown alongside the charred mask of Darth Vader, saying“Nothing will stand in our way. I will finish what you started.”
Fans have until now only seen two teasers: November’s 88-second trailer and April’s two-minute trailer, in which Han Solo and Chewbacca made their first appearance.
The film is expected to gross about $100 million in North America on its opening weekend, Rentrak’s senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian said, adding that it could earn over $2 billion globally.
Star Wars, created by George Lucas, has grossed more than $4.4 billion globally since 1977 with six films. The Force Awakens, directed by J. J. Abrams, is the first of three new Star Wars films being produced by Disney since it purchased the Lucasfilm franchise in 2012.