New 'Star Wars' film title revealed

LOS ANGELES - Agence France-Presse

In this photo illustration a man looks at a tweet on the @Disney Twitter feed announcing the completion of filming and the title for the newest Star Wars episode, November 6, 2014 in Hollywood, California. AFP Photo

"Star Wars" fans were sent into a frenzy Thursday as studio giant Disney revealed the title of the iconic franchise's seventh episode -- "The Force Awakens" -- and said filming was over.
      
"The Force Awakens" immediately shot to the top of trending topics on Twitter after Walt Disney Pictures and the official "Star Wars" account released the title.        

"'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has completed principal photography," the tweets said.        

The film will now require months of post-production before its worldwide release on December 18, 2015.
      
It is directed by J.J. Abrams, one of Hollywood's A-list directors who recently oversaw the successful rebooting of the "Star Trek" franchise.
      
"Star Wars" has attracted generations of loyal fans ever since the first film arrived in 1977 recounting the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Darth Vader.
      
Filming began in Britain in May on the new episode.        

Original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker will star in the new film, along with several newcomers including Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.