Director J.J. Abrams and the San Diego Symphony surprised "Star Wars" fans with a free special performance of the music from the franchise at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, a symphony spokesman said Saturday.
Abrams, whose "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is the seventh feature film in the saga, led an exodus of more than 7,000 people from the convention center to the concert at Embarcadero Marina Park South, the symphony's public relations director Stephen Kouglas said.
The symphony, led by assistant conductor Sameer Patel, began the concert at sunset.
Scenes from the previous films were played on a big screen while the music played, Kouglas said.
The show included a fireworks display and a presentation with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and other cast members joined Kennedy and Abrams onstage as they discussed the future of Star Wars.
The symphony was introduced by the score's composer, John Williams, via video.
Abrams also gave fans a quick behind-the-scenes look of the making of "The Force Awakens."
The film is scheduled to premiere Dec. 18.
