Han Solo and Chewbacca reunited Wednesday night to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital almost 30 years to the day since Star Wars: Episode 5, The Empire Strikes Back premiered around the world.
Empire stars Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew and Billy Dee Williams joined Ewan McGregor, Christopher Nolan, Jon Favreau and the voice cast of The Clone Wars for a one-night-only, digital screening of the film for charity. Fans and celebrities filled the Arclight Cinema in Hollywood for the movie and a Q&A with Ford and others after the film.
Arguably the most eagerly awaited sequel in history when it hit screen in 1980, Empire is widely accepted as the best of the six Star Wars movies. Every celebrity who sauntered down the red carpet flanked by Darth Vader and his Imperial Stormtroopers agreed that Empire was their favorite of the Lucas library.
"It was the only Star Wars movie I paid to see," Ford said. "I enjoyed it that much and went back to see it more than once."
"Celebrating the anniversary and raising money for St. Jude -- I'm happy to be a part of it."
McGregor (right) said Empire was the Star Wars film that made him dream of being in such a movie one day.
"I remember that I liked the reality of it -- the grit of it," McGregor said. "Up until then, sci-fi moves always seemed very futuristic and clean. But, the Star Wars universe seemed real because everyone was dirty and the Millennium Falcon kept breaking down."
"I just hope, 30 years from now -- when I'm 40, we'll be back here celebrating the anniversary of my Stars Wars movies," McGregor added.
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