In a semi-regular feature we'll be running until The Force Awakens is unleashed on December 17, here's our wrap of all the Star Wars things that happened today.
1. How Iron Man changed this Storm Trooper's life
John Boyega needed help.
The 23-year-old star of Star Wars: The Force Awakens was starting to question a lot of things about what life would hold now that he was part of what's expected to be one of the biggest films of all time.
Boyega didn't want to burden his fellow veteran castmates like Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill with questions about their experiences and how they handled their light speed ascendancy to otherworldly stardom.
"They're my co-stars and we were in a working environment," said Boyega. "It's not a place for teaching and all that."
A scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
At the time, Boyega's talent agency, CAA, also represented Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr., who is no stranger to this sort of fame. So he sent an email to Downey's agent saying, essentially, "Hi, I'm John. I'm going to be in 'Star Wars.' If he has time, can Robert Downey Jr. mentor me?"
He wasn't exactly sure that it would result in anything, but figured it was worth a shot. Later, Boyega remembers he was driving in London when he got a call from an unknown number.
"I'm like, oh crap! Iron Man!" Boyega recalled. "I had better park up."
Robert Downey Jr stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Iron Man movies.
They talked for two hours that day. It was the start of a true friendship that's since resulted in more hours-long chats, hang-outs, and even a chicken and waffles date. "Good lord we get deep," Boyega said of their conversations. "For the most part it's definitely private, but in general, his thing has always been inner peace and how to deal with this on a mental level. Taking care of your mental health is something that he talks to me about."
"He's really changed my life with his advice."
2. The rebel campers
Star Wars fan, actor Deuce Wayne from Virginia rests outside the TCL Chinese Theater Imax while waiting for the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Los Angeles. Photo / AP
Star Wars is a beloved franchise, but the buzz surrounding the impending release of the seventh installment, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is almost tangible in Los Angeles, where the long-awaited premiere will take place this week. Adding to the sense of a (very big) event are the camping fans. The dedicated group - who have called their efforts "the line awakens" - currently has more than 130 people participating, with more to likely join in the coming days. Read the full story here.
3. It's gonna be a big one ...
A scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Riding galaxy-sized expectations, the new Star Wars movie opening Thursday is setting records for pre-opening ticket sales. But does that mean the movie is destined to be the biggest of all time?
Though several signs point in that direction, the outcome isn't guaranteed.
The movie is on track to have the biggest December opening ever, topping The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which took in $85 million in the U.S. and Canada on its opening weekend in December 2012.
Ticket seller Fandango says advance ticket sales for Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens has already topped every other movie and Imax says it has sold double the previous record. Read the full story here.
The poster for the seventh film of the Star Wars saga in China is slightly different from the original one as black characters have been dwarfed in size and even erased, leading to controversy and accusations of racism. Read the full article here.
The original poster vs one that was tweaked for the Chinese market.
5. First Star Wars experience
Alex Casey of The Spinoff gives her take on the Star Wars films after watching them for the first time. Read the full article here.
