StarWars1 © Photo: Getty Images

Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer released

April 17, 2015

The force is strong with this one: fans were put into a frenzy by the unveilling of the second trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens . The teaser for the highly anticipated film, which is due for release in December, was premiered at the Star Wars Celebration event in California.

The teaser gives fans their first glimpse of the return os Harrison Ford's Han Solo and his Wookiee sidekick Chewbacca when the pair step into the Millennium Falcon, and Han announces: "Chewie, we're home."

Harrison last appeared in a Star Wars film over 30 years ago when Return of the Jedi was released in 1983. The 72-year-old was unable to attend the celebration event in Anaheim as he is still recovering at home following his plane crash in March.

The second trailer for Star Wars has been released

The new film also sees original stars Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill resume their roles as Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker in the ever-popular film franchise. On stage at the celebration event, Mark praised the film's fans.

"Over the years, all my entire life, I've felt such love from you," he said. "You're more than just fans. You're family."

The trailer launch was preceded by a panel with director J.J Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy.

"We have many, many months before the movies come out, and I promise you we will have a lot of fun over the next few months revealing these characters," the director teased.

© Photo: Getty Images

The trailer was released at the Star Wars Celebration event

J.J also admitted he had felt a huge amount of pressure in "honouring the legacy" of the Star Wars series.

"Though there are moments of sheer horror, the opportunity far outweighs the risk," he said.

Fans of the film series were also treated to stills of cast members Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega in costume as their Star Wars characters. They will join a bevy of stars including Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o , Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie and Girls actor Adam Driver in the film, which is due for release on 18 December.

Excitement about the film is so great that the stock value of Disney – who bought Lucasfilm in 2012 – was boosted by $2billion after the trailer was released.

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