7:27pm PT by Mia Galuppo
Inside the 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' Premiere

The world premiere of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story transformed Hollywood Boulevard into a galaxy far, far away.
On Saturday night, five blocks of the boulevard (from Cahuenga Boulevard to Gower Street) were shut down for the event, which boasted a tented red carpet and a life-sized X-Wing. Onlookers stood on each side of the entrance to the carpet, with Imperial fans on one and rebels on the other.
Rogue One centers on the rebel fighters who are charged with stealing the plans to the newly constructed Death Star. They are led by Jyn Erso, played by English actress Felicity Jones.
"You are glad you have Kathy Kennedy as your partner. You feel like there is this giant wisdom at all times," said producer Allison Shearmur, when asked about the anxieties tackling the first stand-alone movie in the Star Wars universe. "Everything is well considered and nothing is done casually."
Security was tight at the event, including police and bomb-sniffing dogs. Some guests had to go through multiple metal detectors, as entry in to each side of the sidewalk required going through a different security checkpoint.
But that didn't stop stars that weren't a part of the Star Wars franchise from hitting the first official screening of the space epic. Christian Bale, Michael Douglas, Rainn Wilson, Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion and Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi were all on hand for the premiere.
Attendees filed into the Pantages Theatre, where they were treated to a screening of the movie, which received plenty of applause when it began (there were no opening remarks from the filmmakers) as well as big cheers multiple times during it — especially during onscreen call-backs to the original trilogy.
Rogue One was screened with a Dolby Vision high dynamic range projection system and Dolby Atmos immersive sound system, which was installed at the Pantages for the premiere. Atmos puts speakers on the front, rear and side walls of a theater, and trusses carrying speakers were on the ceiling for the overheads. The Dolby Vision system includes a pair of laser projectors. To have all of this ready for Saturday night took nearly a full week of work, with the installation beginning last Monday.
Afterwards, the crowd headed to Avalon Hollywood for the afterparty, where attendees were treated to hors d'oeuvres and dinner as well as Death Star-shaped minicakes and drinks being served from a tie-fighter shaped bar.
Rogue One blasts into theaters on Friday, Dec. 16.
Jun Erso!! Felicity Jones has arrived at the #RogueOne world premiere pic.twitter.com/4gKRCkQTIP
— Mia Galuppo (@ifiwere2tweet) December 11, 2016
Director Gareth Edwards at the premiere for his #StarWars standalone #RogueOne pic.twitter.com/byI1ERxE4f
— Mia Galuppo (@ifiwere2tweet) December 11, 2016
Riz Ahmed at the #RogueOne world premiere. He plays rebel pilot Bohdi Rook. pic.twitter.com/Ms9F3PYoT1
— Mia Galuppo (@ifiwere2tweet) December 11, 2016
I went through 3 metal detectors and have arrived at #RogueOne pic.twitter.com/YadgvVpc7H
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) December 11, 2016
The scale of the #RogueOnepremiere was galactic. Several blocks of Hollywood Blvd on a busy Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/rc3OTjHE9Q
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) December 11, 2016
Hovering above the #RogueOne afterparty. pic.twitter.com/Gk7u9lZ44p
— Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) December 11, 2016
Death Star-shaped cake at the after party pic.twitter.com/YByqdNKWcZ
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) December 11, 2016
