Don Arnold/WireImageHarrison Ford, never change.
The 73-year-old actor, known for his acerbic sense of humor, talked about the fan frenzy over Star Wars: The Force Awakens in an interview on NBC's Today show, in a segment that aired on Friday. In the film, the start of a third trilogy, Ford reprises his role as Han Solo for the first time in 32 years. Die-hard fans have lined up to see the film for days ahead of its official Friday release.
"The audience is back—hooray," Ford said on the Today show, before adding, "I came back, absolutely, for the fans."
Ford said seeing Star Wars fans lining up to see the movie and hearing that tickets are selling quickly felt "better than a slap on the belly with a wet fish."
"It's good. This is good," he said. "I'm very grateful."
Star Wars: The Force Awakens made between $50 million to $55 million in opening Thursday night preview screenings, preliminary estimates showed, according to Variety.
Ford is one of several veteran Star Wars actors who have returned for the new sequel. He joins the likes of Carrie Fisher, who plays his partner Leia, and Mark Hamill, who reprises his role as Luke Skywalker.
They join newbies such as main stars Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, as well as Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver, who plays the new villain Kylo Ren.
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