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Harrison Ford thinks the key to 'Star Wars' long-standing success is George Lucas' "wonderful imagination".
The 73-year-old actor - who reprises his role as Han Solo in the seventh installment of the franchise, 'The Force Awakens' - is "grateful" for the devotion of the series' fans but insists they are not the ones who "made" the saga what it is.
He said "I think 'Star Wars' has lasted so long because of the underlying mythology which came from [creator] George Lucas' wonderful imagination and it gets passed on from generation to generation by families because there's a useful nugget of human truth in it.
"Fans make it their own they don't make it. It all proceeds from the incredible imagination of George Lucas and the craft of directors that have worked on the telling of these stories.
"I'm very grateful that the fans feel a kinship with it and an ownership of it. That does make a big difference."
Though the plot of the new movie has been kept under wraps, Harrison thinks there is a lot for audiences to relate to.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the European premiere of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' in London's Leicester Square this evening (16.12.15), he said: "There are so many interwoven stories that deal with the mystery of growing up.
"Questions of independence and responsibility and that's all stuff that whether you think about it or not it is a big part of our cultural fabric."
And the veteran actor was delighted to have director J.J. Abrams behind the camera.
He said: "[J.J. added] His own filmmaking skill and his own emotional relationship with the story."
Harrison was joined at the premiere by co-stars including Carrie Fisher - who was accompanied by her dog, Gary - Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Lupita Nyong'o, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac, as well as robots BB-8, C-3PO and R2D2.

Oscar Isaac practiced his "selfie face" ahead of the 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' premieres.
The 36-year-old actor - who plays X-wing pilot Poe Dameron in the long-awaited movie - admits he looks "cross-eyed and duck-lipped" in photos he takes of himself so needs to up his game when posing with fans on the red carpet.
Speaking at the European premiere of the movie in London's Leicester Square earlier this evening, he said: "I've been practicing [my selfie face], it's kind of cross-eyes and like duck-lipped."
Though he already has a successful movie career behind him, Oscar has found he gets recognised more now thanks to his role in the iconic film series.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I have occasionally noticed that I'm being recognised a bit more. I can blend a little bit easier so it's not so bad for me."
Plot details on the movie have been sworn to secrecy, so Oscar - who was joined on the red carpet by co-stars including Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Lupita Nyong'o and Daisy Ridley -is feeling relieved it finally gets released this week as he's very proud of the film.
He said: "I'm very happy to share it finally. We had a great time on set led by J.J. Abrams and his enthusiasm - we joked around a lot, we kept it light and I think that energy and open-heartedness translates to the screen."
And despite speculation 'Episode VIII' will start shooting in the next few months, the actor insists he has no idea.
He said: "Really? Is that what you've heard? Well that's exciting!"

Amy Schumer's humour keeps her family "tied together".
The 34-year-old comic's father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 12 years old and she did her best to keep "everybody laughing" and "take care" of all her loved ones.
She recalled: "He was in physical pain. That's when I kind of took the lead and took care of everybody in my family.
"I would keep them -- I would keep everybody laughing. I'm the one who ties it all together."
And the 'Trainwreck' star admitted it can be hard to see her father when he is in pain with the degenerative disease.
Speaking during an interview for Barbara Walters' upcoming '10 Most Fascinating People' special, she said: "He's not good. Some days he's really good and he's with it and we're joking around. And some days I go to visit my dad, and it's so painful. I can't believe it."
Amy has previously spoken of how her dad's disease inspired scenes in her movie 'Trainwreck', in which her on-screen father, who was played by Colin Quinn, has MS.
She has said: "There is no denying that there is a lot of me in this movie. I, as they say, went there. It's really personal.
"It's about stuff I was struggling with and am constantly battling."

Katy Perry has never seen the 'Harry Potter' movies.
The 'Dark Horse' hitmaker is aware of the story of the boy wizard - who was played on the big screen in seven films by Daniel Radcliffe - but hasn't seen his adventures or read J.K. Rowling's books.
She admitted: "I know Harry Potter, but I've never read the books, nor have I seen the movies because growing up, I was not allowed to read the books."
The 31-year-old beauty - whose parents Keith and Mary Hudson are Christian pastors - thinks it is funny her latest fragrance is called Mad Potion because "enchanting" things were banned in her household.
She added to People magazine: "Growing up, I wasn't allowed to have any fantastical, enchanting stuff around me.
"It's funny that now I'm doing a little bit of a magic-potion-themed perfume."
Katy's father previously admitted he cried at one of the singer's concerts because he was so proud of her.
He told a congregation in Santa Fe Springs, California, in 2013: "I was at a concert of Katy's where there were 20,000. I'm watching this generation and they were going at it. It almost looked like church. I stood there and wept and kept on weeping and weeping. They're loving and worshiping the wrong thing."

Katie Price has settled a breach of privacy case with ex-husband Peter Andre.
The 37-year-old former glamour model launched a case against the 'Mysterious Girl' and his manager Claire Powell, accusing them of launching a smear campaign against her in 2012, and just weeks before a 10-day trial was due to begin, the former couple have reached a settlement.
Her counsel Heather Rogers QC told the judge Mr. Justice Dingemans that the terms of the settlement remain confidential.
However, Katie has agreed to pay both Peter and Claire and her company Can Associates £75,000.
The mother-of-five - who has children Harvey, 13, with ex-partner Dwight Yorke, was ordered in April to pay £200,000 into court as security for costs of those she had made the claims against.
When approving the settlement, the judge said legal costs "might be considered disproportionate" and that it was "very unfortunate" it was not subjected to costs management from the start.
She launched an estimated £250,000 damages claim for misuse of private information in March 2012.
However, the defendants claimed the reality star has published so much information herself about her private life any right to privacy over what they revealed should be overridden, and that any damages she might win would be "minimal."
Claire - who previously also managed Katie - had claimed the action was without merit and.
Neither Katie, Claire or Peter were in court today (16.12.15).

Kaley Cuoco is reportedly dating 'Arrow' star Paul Blackthorne.
The 'Big Bang Theory' actress - who split from professional tennis player Ryan Sweeting in September after just 21 months of marriage - is believed to have grown close to the 46-year-old British actor recently.
A source told Us Weekly: "It's new, but she's really excited about it. Kaley's doing great postdivorce."
While Kaley, 30, has not confirmed a romance with Paul, the pair are close friends and last month she took to Instagram to support his charitable initiative Air Shepherd, which is working to save rhinos from extinction.
Sharing a picture of herself wearing a T-shirt with the slogan 'Keep Rhinos Horny', she wrote: "Help my friend @paulblackthorne @airshepherd #KeepRhinosHorny (sic)."
Last month Kaley proved she is ready to move on when she had the tattoo that references her wedding to Ryan covered up.
She subsequently wrote on her Instagram account: "Thank you @nero_sct @studiocitytattoo for helping me right my wrongs...
"Note to self - do not mark your body with any future wedding dates #under30mistakes #donttakeyourselftooseriouslykids. (sic)"
Kaley also revealed she is "incredibly grateful" for the support she has received since splitting from Ryan.
She said: "I'm feeling completely overwhelmed with the outpouring of kindness and support from the people that surround me and from those I have never even met.
"I want you to know, I read all your comments and your sweet words have touched me deeply.
"I'm incredibly grateful for all your love as I start this next chapter in my life."

Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' has become the first record to sell 30 million copies in the US.
The late King of Pop - who died from acute Propofol intoxication in 2009 - is the first artist to attain 30-time multiplatinum status, and his iconic LP has also clocked up sales of over 100 million worldwide since its release in 1982, the Recording Industry Association of America and Michael's estate have announced.
John Branca, who is co-executor of the late star's estate, said:
"'Thriller' continues to be the yardstick against which all other albums are measured."
Branca believes part of the reason why the record remains so popular is the 'Billie Jean' hitmaker wrote the album to appeal to a broad audience.
He said: "He didn't want to sell records to blacks or whites or Americans.
"He wanted to sell records to everyone, Africa, Asia, everywhere. It's just continued to sell and sell and sell."
Despite the astonishing sales, Branca didn't want to declare the record unbeatable, noting Adele's '21' has already sold 11 million copies in the US in just four years.
He said: "Nobody saw that coming [with '21'].
"But you wouldn't want to bet that there's another one coming along. Not these days."
To date, a greatest-hits compilation by the Eagles is Michael's nearest competitor, having sold 29 million copies.

Kelly Rutherford has vowed to "do better".
The 'Gossip Girl' actress' ex-husband Daniel Giersch was awarded custody of their children Hermes, nine, and Helena, six, earlier this week following a three-year custody battle, and though she hasn't directly spoken out about the situation, she has been posting motivational messages on her Instagram account.
She posted a piece of word art, which read: "Dear world - we can do better and we will. That's All. And that's everything."
And the 47-year-old star is also trying to stay "peaceful".
Another post read: "Choose and direct yourself to be peaceful inside regardless of what's happening outside."
A Monaco court ruled the children must stay in the principality with their father, with Kelly's visitation limited to seeing them only in Monaco or France.
The former couple must make decisions concerning the children's "health, schooling, religious education and any change of residence" jointly, and the two children will spend half of Christmas, spring and summer vacations with each parent, but their father will also have them for all of All Saints and the winter.
Kelly will receive a total of 3000 euros ($3,281) a month in maintenance.
The actress has fought to regain custody of Hermes and Helena since she lost them in a 2012 judgement she previously described as "shocking, illegal and abusive".
The dispute reached a head when Kelly refused to send her kids back to Daniel in Monaco after they spent the summer with her in the United States. A judge subsequently ordered for the kids to be sent back.

Michelle Dockery led mourners at the funeral of her late fiancé John Dineen today (16.12.15).
The 'Downton Abbey' actress was dressed all in black as she headed into the church of St. James at Ballinora, a parish near Cork, Ireland - where the financial public relations senior director was from - following the 34 year old's death from a rare form of cancer.
John's friends and family were also in attendance at the service, just minutes from the family farm where he grew up.
Michelle - who turned 34 yesterday - is thought to have been staying at the farm since cutting short a 'Downton' promotional tour in the US to be at his bedside.
Father Declan Mansfield, who had been supporting John's parents through his final few days, led the funeral.
He said the family were "bearing up", adding: "It's a deep loss for them obviously."
Michelle and John's engagement was reported in February but the pair didn't get round to tying the knot.
A friend told the MailOnline: "They had a goal of spending one last Christmas together, but in the end he didn't make it. They were planning to marry before he got too ill and never managed to do that because Michelle had a bunch of work commitments she couldn't get out of.
"John was so proud of her and very much encouraged her to keep on working, but she feels terrible that they didn't manage to tie the knot in time."
Cork councillor Mary Shields has also paid tribute to John, describing him as a "very handsome, beautiful young man".
She is quoted by PEOPLE as saying: "He was so very handsome, a beautiful young man. It's heart-wrenching to see a young couple separated like this.
"They had their whole lives in front of them. It's so tragic and so sad.
"The whole community will want to reach out and console the family."
Last night, along with his parents, Maria and Patrick, Michelle is said to have followed John's coffin to the church ahead of his funeral today.
The 34-year-old actress - who plays Lady Mary Crawley in the period drama - has been left devastated following the death of her fiancé after he passed away at Marymount Hospice in Cork on Sunday (13.12.15).
She has thanked fans for their "kindness and support" following the tragic news.
A spokesperson for Michelle said: "The family is very grateful for the support and kindness they have received but would kindly request that they are left to grieve in private."