Star Wars fans, brace yourselves. The end is nigh….

For many, the new trilogy of the sci-fi saga has been quite diverse. Though 2015’s The Force Awakens was a phenomenal hit, some felt it was essentially a modern remake of A New Hope (1977).

2017’s The Last Jedi then took on a more bold approach under the direction of Rian Johnson only for loyal fans of the series to ridicule it for being too different.

LucasFilm are now hoping for better things from the upcoming ninth film which is set to finally mark the end of the Skywalker story. Having previously helmed The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams is back on board for The Rise of Skywalker which has released a new (and emotional!) trailer.

The film’s plot sees the surviving members of the Resistance (including Rey, Finn and Poe) face the First Order (led by Kylo Ren) in a final bid to save the Galaxy once and for all.

From the new trilogy, cast regulars Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata) and Kelly Marie Tran (Rose) are back alongside franchise veterans Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO).

Despite her tragic death in December 2016, the late Carrie Fisher WILL feature as General Leia Organa through the use of special effects. Mark Hamill is also set to appear as franchise hero Luke Skywalker despite his character’s fate at the end of The Last Jedi.

There is also a welcoming return to the series for Billy Dee Williams who reprises his popular role as Lando Calrissian; his first appearance since Return of the Jedi (1983).

There are also some notable additions to the cast which include Oscar-nominee Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I, Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Keri Russell (Felicity, The Americans), Naomi Ackie (Lady MacBeth, It’s the End of the F***ing World) and Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Lost).

The final chapter of the Skywalker series will be released worldwide on December 19.