John Boyega and Daisy Ridley react to the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer

Don't listen to the Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast when they very calmly and coolly report on the red carpet that it's "great" to be part of a franchise of this size, they've probably spent most of the last year hyperventilating with excitement.

John Boyega, who plays new hero Finn, seemed particularly enamoured of the new trailer for the sequel that dropped today, convulsing on Instagram and diving over the back of his sofa:

 

THE TRAILER IS JUST EEEEPPPPPPPIIIIICCCCCCC! Star Wars is back! gaaaaaad laaaaard! You know what! Let me just relax because this kind God oooo! Lmao! Seriously congrats to everyone ! December 18th!

A video posted by @john_boyega on Oct 20, 2015 at 12:02am PDT

He had good reason to - it's a very exciting trailer, less concerned with ominous shots of desert landscapes and more with space dogfights, explosions and lightsabers.

Daisy Ridley (Rey) meanwhile, was moved to tears:

 

Staying in a little b'n'b with my friend... Set an alarm to watch the trailer... My friend filmed my reaction. Totally emotional seeing it for the first time and so so so incredibly awed to be part of this incredible legacy #starwars #theforceawakens

A video posted by @daisyridley on Oct 19, 2015 at 8:06pm PDT

The two-minute 35-second clip also sees our first look at Princess Leia, and suggests that Han Solo will feature heavily in the movie, while Luke Skywalker is still something of a question mark.

JJ Abrams' sequel will see the First Order take on the Resistance, with new antagonist Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) threatening to "finish what [Darth Vader] started".

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in UK cinemas on 17 December and US cinemas on 18 December.