DENVER — Tickets to the new “Star Wars” movie went on sale Monday night after the newest and last trailer aired during halftime of “Monday Night Football.”
“Star Wars — The Force Awakens” premieres Dec. 18.
CNN reported that online sites like Fandango crashed briefly when word spread via social media that tickets were available before the trailer’s debut.
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This is the seventh “Star Wars” movie in the series. It stars Oscar Isasc, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o and Adam Driver along with returning cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.
It’s the first movie addition to the “Star Wars” franchise in a decade. Disney acquired Lucasfilm from “Star Wars” creator George Lucas for $4 billion in 2012. The company has marketed the new film heavily.
Ahead of the release of “The Force Awakens,” “Star Wars” merchandise, toys and gadgets have flooded stores. California’s Disneyland and Florida’s Walt Disney World are also getting massive “Star Wars” attractions.
Social media has also been a promotional hub. “The Force Awakens” movie poster was released Sunday via Twitter and it was re-tweeted more than 15,000 times in two hours.
Disney is looking to profit from “Star Wars’” cult-like following, and there’s more fandom fuel coming. “The Force Awakens” is the first installment of a trilogy, and subsequent movie releases are planned for 2017 and 2019.