'Star Wars' Fans Awaken for 'Force Friday' Global Toy Unveiling

From Sydney to Los Angeles, "Star Wars" fans have awakened and queued up en masse on "Force Friday" to get their hands on new toys inspired by the film franchise's "The Force Awakens" sequel in a global launch.

The worldwide event kicked off with an 18-hour live unboxing event on YouTube followed by more than 3,000 retailers opening their doors for eager shoppers.

Festivities began Thursday in Sydney at 7:45 a.m. local time and continued throughout 15 cities and 12 countries.

The characters and storylines from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" are brought to life through the merchandise ahead of the film's release on Dec. 18.

“Star Wars toys have always played an important role in how our fans interact with the Saga,” Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. “They’ve inspired multiple generations to relive the experience of the movies and to create new adventures all their own. These spectacular Star Wars: The Force Awakens products will continue that tradition.”