Home Star Wars fans first to feel the force

LEFT: An X-Wing blows a TIE fighter out of the sky. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Masterton Regent 3 Cinemas will be one of the first theatres in the world to awaken the force with a midnight screening of the new Star Wars movie on the day and date of its release.

Tickets are now available for the cinema's December 17 screening of the seventh movie in the saga, The Force Awakens.

The film will be screened in 3D and Regent 3 Cinema is one of a number of cinemas around New Zealand showing the movie on its international release date.

Because of the New Zealand time-zone Kiwi audiences will be among the first in the world to see the film. Brent Goodwin, owner of Regent 3 Cinemas, said any big movie premiere was exciting but Star Wars was on a different level.

"We are all looking forward to seeing how the midnight audience will react to it. The hype has been huge."

There had already been a "great take-up" in tickets purchased and he was anticipating a busy night.

"Star Wars has an incredible following and the Regent wanted to give its many fans here the chance to be part of the international midnight launch."

Regent 3's Facebook page lists the event to take place on Wednesday, December 16, at 11.59pm. The Force Awakens is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, which was released in 1983.