PHOTOS: 500 stormtroopers stand guard on the Great Wall

By Matthew Bossons

Star Wars is relatively new to the Middle Kingdom, with the original trilogy only debuting in theaters this past June – four decades after its original release.

Despite being a bit late to the party, Chinese fans appear to have fully embraced the space opera and excitement is running high for the series newest installment The Force Awakens.

In response to growing Chinese demand for all things Star Wars, Disney executed a rather unique stunt this week – stationing 500 stormtroopers on the Great Wall. The event was planned to celebrate the release of the third and final trailer for The Force Awakens.

Fans came out in full force to capture the ultimate selfie

500 armor-clad merchants of intergalactic death atop China's most notable landmark

A wookiee and young fan

The large illuminated characters atop the great wall say 'The Force Awakens' in Chinese

Lightsaber wielding fans stationed along the Great Wall

[Images via Disney China]

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