The premiere of the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie, directed, co-produced, and co-written by J.J. Abrams, is so big that it has people purchasing tickets months in advance. This is the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and is scheduled to be available to all of North America on Dec. 18.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was announced in October 2012, therefore superfans have been building their excitement for years and are ready to see the movie they have been hyping up for so long. This is the seventh installment in the series and stars familiar actors to Star Wars fans such as Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher, along with some new faces such as Daisey Ridley as Rey, and John Boyega as Finn.

The film takes place approximately 30 years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire and requires heroes Han Solo, played by Ford, and his team to overcome the peril of Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver and his band of stormtroopers.

George Lucas’s creation of this saga has been so popular amongst science fiction and action fanatics that it will be no surprise if supporters show up to midnight premieres of the movie dressed in full costume. The series is so beloved that there is a certain standard for the movie to reach, an especially nerve racking task considering the substantial success that the other movies have achieved.

This series is so popular that it has already sparked controversy over social media upon the release of its trailer. The appearance of Boyega, an African American man, playing a stormtrooper stirred controversial comments on how stormtroopers should not be black. Although the trailer is a mere teaser and does not explain the full context of why Boyega is in a stormtrooper uniform, it is clear that some fans are not open to changes, even in the 21st century.

Regardless of the stir that shook social media, the new Star Wars is sure to draw audiences and true fans into the theatre. Now all there is to do is wait, watch and wonder if the response will be as positive as it has been in the past.