The sound of heavy Vader breathing was played over the loudspeakers outside The Palais in the hour leading up to the start of tonight's gala screening of the final "Star Wars" chapter in Cannes. Stormtroopers lined the red carpet, a live orchestra played the familiar Star Wars theme and massive crowds gathered on the streets and grounds around the theater to watch the arrivals on big TV screens (pictured above a few minutes ago). Before ascending the steps, George Lucas, Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen left the red carpet to walk behind the photographers and shake hands with screaming fans.
[Photo by Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE]