Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer, cast, release dates

After a leap year with Mary Poppins Returns in 2018, the Star Wars saga is coming back once more, and is finally coming to a close, with the long-awaited Episode IX rocketing into cinemas at the end of 2019.

While this may seem too long away to even plan, let alone anticipate, yet another of these movies – this one is different, as it's the final chapter. Episode IX marks the third instalment of the rebooted franchise, following The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. This trilogy has introduced a new wave of heroes – led by Daisy Ridley who plays Rey, and John Boyega's Fin.

Joining the pair, Oscar Isaac will be reprising his role as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron and Kelly Marie Tran returns as maintenance whiz Rose Tico. Fans will also be pleased to hear that Billy Dee Williams will be returning after almost 40 years since his debut in The Empire Strikes Back, to play the charismatic con artist, Lando Calrissan.

As there are still many moons to go, there's too much to speculate over to offer any substantial plot synopsis. But since the return of Luke Skywalker in the previous instalment, as well as the promise of a posthumous send-off for Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia and so much unresolved tension with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver's dark and brooding contribution to this galaxy) – expectations are only going to increase over the next eight months.

The Rise of Skywalker has time on its side, as fans spanning more than 30 years are in for a satisfactory resolution just as much as new converts from the last five years. Stay tuned for updates – and stay on the good side of the Force for when the film hits cinemas on 20 December 2019.