The late Carrie Fisher makes an emotional appearance on what would have been her 63rd birthday in the final trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The eagerly awaited trailer premiered on US TV during an NFL match on Monday night, giving fans a final glimpse of the film before its December release.
The blockbuster, directed by JJ Abrams, will bring to an end the nine-part saga that began with the original Star Wars in 1977.
Fisher died in 2016, aged 60, but Abrams had unused footage of the legendary Princess Leia actress from previous films he was able to use in The Rise of Skywalker.
In the trailer, she is seen hugging resistance fighter Rey, played by British actress Daisy Ridley, before being heard saying "Always" to finish Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker uttering the immortal phrase "The Force will be with you".
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)- In pictures
In the 2 minute 21 second trailer, Rey is seen facing the evil Kylo Ren - played by Adam Driver - and also seemingly fighting with him, while John Boyega's Finn featured.
"People keep telling me they know me," Ridley's Rey says in the trailer. "No one does."
Ren replies: "But I do."
Towards the end of the teaser a mystery figure in a black billowing hood appears, leading fans to speculate feared villain Emperor Palpatine would be making a return. His sinister voice is heard during the trailer.
The Rise Of Skywalker will complete Disney's new Star Wars trilogy and is set to be one of the biggest entertainment events of the year.
The two previous instalments in the trilogy - 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 2017's The Last Jedi - grossed a combined $US3.3 billion (£2.5 billion).
The Rise Of Skywalker will be released in UK cinemas on December 19.
Listen to today’s episode of The Leader:
