After more than 20 years since the release of the last film, fans of the Star Wars franchise finally have a new movie to look forward to with the upcoming release of “The Force Awakens”, the seventh installment of the series which will be released on December 18th. The movie is the first film in what will eventually be a sequel trilogy. It is being released in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D.

The movie is a continuation of the story that was created in the original six Star Wars films. It takes place 30 years after the events of the final movie, “Return of the Jedi”. The film will be made up of a variety of both old cast members, ideas, and plot lines, along with new ones that have been created for the new trilogy.

The film has been shrouded by incredible amounts of hype and attention. Tickets to see “The Force Awakens” are already sold out for the first three weeks that the movie is in theaters, and merchandise is selling faster than it can be made. “My work has been selling figurines and toys for the movie for months,” says Sydney Stoewer, a senior at Normal West who is employed at Gordman’s.

Those who are excited for the new movie range from adults who were children when the original movies were created to kids today who are just now beginning to enjoy the series. Among those who are anticipating the release is West senior, David Wilburn.

“I already have my ticket and I’ve had it for weeks,” he says. “It’s my favorite series. I know the movie is going to be good and I haven’t even seen it yet.”

On the contrary, some students are interested in the movie but don’t think that the chaos of trying to see it in theaters is worth it. “I’ll probably watch it after it comes out on Netflix,” says Allison Denson, a senior who doesn’t think that the new film is a big enough event to endure the struggle of trying to get tickets or fighting through the crowd at theaters.

With two weeks remaining until the release date, the film is already expected to break box office records. The movie has already made over $50 million in ticket sales. Whether you are a fan of Star Wars or not, one thing is clear: “The Force Awakens” is going to be huge.