Chris Schulz talks to Harrison Ford about his return to Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
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Harrison Ford is in the middle of a Star Wars promotional campaign he doesn't seem to be enjoying that much. He talks to Chris Schulz.
A DJ dressed in a suit and stormtrooper helmet is playing dance music peppered with Star Wars quotes at thunderous volumes.
Thousands of fans, some dressed as Han Solo, others as Indiana Jones, clutch posters and lightsabers ready for signing.
As journalists and camera operators jostle for position on the red carpet in front of the Sydney Opera House, TV3 reporter Kate Rodger does a slick piece-to-camera while slowly making her way through the sweaty insanity.
Suddenly, there's a flurry of activity. Photographers surge. Cameras click. Reporters armed with microphones lean forward. Fans in the front rows remove the caps from their marker pens. The dodgy dubstep coming out of the speakers erupts into a chorus of, "Luke, I am your father".
Then, the evening's MC Jay Laga'aia, still milking his bit part from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, announces that "the original space cowboy" has arrived.
Everyone turns their heads to catch a glimpse of Harrison Ford, the iconic actor who, you might have heard, is reprising his role as Han Solo in The Force Awakens 32 years after kissing the character goodbye.
The 73-year-old is today's star attraction, and aside from a life-sized version of droid BB-8, Ford is the only cast member to attend this Star Wars fan event that's attracted thousands of people out on this sticky afternoon.
Looking around, it's an incredible sight. Just a week before The Force Awakens hits theatres, Star Wars hysteria is at fever pitch, and it's being channelled right here in front of the Opera House.
As Ford arrives, one fan clutching the railing says she's been waiting since 10am for this moment. Another holds a metallic homemade lightsaber in one hand, a vivid in another. A sweaty reporter is wearing an oversized white tee that asks, "Where is Luke?"
Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Harrison Ford as Han Solo in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens.". Photo / Film Frame
More importantly, where's Ford? Finally, I spot him. Well, I spot his hair, that unmistakable mop of grey. Wearing jeans, a shirt, a dress jacket and brown shoes, Ford is shuffling along the red carpet, signing merchandise, posing awkwardly for selfies, shaking hands with fans and answering the same questions he's already been asked many, many times.
The soundtrack for all this, provided by DJ Stormtrooper, is pounding drum'n'bass that butchers the Imperial March.
As Ford keeps shuffling, answering a long-winded question by a man dressed like Luke Skywalker, I am suddenly overcome with concern. Harrison Ford must absolutely hate this ...
