"We do it for the fans" is practically a cliche at Comic-Con. It's just what you're supposed to say to people who slept outside to hear you give non-committal answers about your new movie or TV show.
Tonight, J.J. Abrams said it like he meant it. Then he backed it up by inviting 6,500 people to follow him out of Hall H to see a free concert of music from the Star Wars scores performed by the San Diego Symphony.
It, funnily enough, started at the ending. As Abrams, who is getting remarkably good at "one more thing..." moments, was wrapping his panel he simply asked, "Who wants to go see a live Star Wars concert right now?"
He then directed everyone to follow the Stormtroopers onstage outside. Upon exiting, everyone was given a lanyard—and then, when they arrived at the outdoor amphitheater, a lightsaber in the color of their choice.
Once everyone was in Abrams and his cast (yes, like everyone who was onstage for the panel, including Harrison Ford, who used his lightsaber like a cane) took the stage and introduced the night's entertainment: a full set of John Williams' greatest hits, complete with clips from the films. (Props to Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega for taking a selfie with a massive sea of lightsabers behind him.)
After that, joy. Everyone put on their favorite fan gear (T-shirt, Wookiee hoodie, you name it) and took it in. It was less than an hour, but there were fireworks (this is still a Disney production, after all) as well—and nothing reminds fans how good that theme song is like hearing it played by a full orchestra.
As a journalist, it's easy to get jaded once you've covered enough Comic-Cons. Crappy, I know. But even though every con has its massive fan-gasm highlights, it's hard not to wince at the fan-service cliches. What Abrams/Lucasfilm did tonight wasn't that. He might have a lot to live up to, but he also doesn't need to win anyone over; his movie will make the GDP of a small nation regardless. So no, this wasn't "for the fans"—it was just for fun. The way it's supposed to be.
