'The Empire Strikes Back' Celebrates 30 Years With A Special Screening In SoCal

Last month, you may recall, Entertainment Weekly featured Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back on the cover of their magazine in celebration of the film's 30th anniversary ... but last night, here in SoCal, the film screened in front of a special audience not only to celebrate their 30 years but also to raise much needed funds for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Empire stars like Harrison Ford, Billy Dee Williams and Peter Mayhew (who played Chewbacca in all of the Star Wars films) were joined by fellow Star Wars alum Ewan McGregor and Darth Vader himself at last night's event. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals and some deets about this very special benefit screening:

Harrison Ford drew the crowds at a Star Wars reunion in LA. The actor, who played Han Solo in the sci-fi films, was joined by Billy Dee Williams, Peter Mayhew and Ewan McGregor for an event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. The special screening took place at the Arclight Cinema in Hollywood and was held to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Ford, 67, admitted he is slightly out of touch with the movie sequel. "I have not seen it for 30 years," revealed the star. Explaining why he signed up to the George Lucas features he said: "I was in it for the money. I was an actor and I was looking for a job and looking for an opportunity. I had a family to feed." Ewan McGregor, meanwhile, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in three prequels to the original series, has revealed he still has a crush on a Star Wars character he fell for as a kid. The Scottish actor said: "I've spent a great many years being deeply, deeply in love with Princess Leia. "There's still a part of my heart that is quite deeply in love with her - both as a character and an actress."

I understand that tickets for last night's event were in the hundreds but, as is mentioned above, all of the proceeds went to St. Jude Children's Hospital ... a very worthy cause, I think. After the movie screened last night, some of these celebs were on hand to participate in a Q&A with the audience ... which I bet was insanely cool. It's crazy to think that Empire is already 30 years old but it's a film that deffo stands up to the test of time. The entire Star Wars saga continues to entertain audiences today just ...

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