Star Wars: The Force Awakens sets Dec. 14 for world premiere

Disney and Lucasfilm are giving Star Wars fans an early Christmas gift, announcing that the next instalment of the blockbuster series Star Wars: The Force Awakens will officially premiere on Dec. 14.

The extensive cast of the film which includes newcomers to the series Oscar Isaac, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley as well as original saga actors such as Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher are expected to walk the red carpet at the Los Angeles world premiere, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Other cast members in the highly anticipated movie include Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong'o and Max von Sydow.

Star-studded premiere eventsin London and other citiesaround the globe are slated to follow the L.A. debut.

The Force Awakens opens in theatres in France on Dec. 16, in the U.K. on Dec. 17 and in North America on Dec. 18.

George Lucas' originalStar Wars: A New Hopedebuted at Hollywood's Chinese Theatre in May 1977.