Star Wars 8 delayed

Disney says the film has been delayed by seven months

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has now made more than $1.8 billion worldwide, breaking box-office records all over the world (AP)

Star Wars Episode VIII has been delayed by seven months.

The next chapter in the Star Wars saga was due to be released in May, 2017, but the Walt Disney Company have moved the film's release date to 15 December, 2017.

Instead, Disney's Pirates of the Carribean: Dad Men Tell No Tales will be released on 26 May, 2017 - the intended release date for Episode VIII.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney insiders say the decision comes after the blockbuster success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The delay will give the studio more time to work on the film, directed by Rian Johnson, the man behind Looper and what are often regarded as the two best Breaking Bad episodes.

John Boyega has previously spoken about the film, saying it will be "much darker" than The Force Awakens.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has now made more than $1.8 billion worldwide, breaking box-office records all over the world.

The next Star Wars film, the spinoff Rogue One, is set to be released on 16 December 2016.

Read everything we know about Star Wars VIII and Rogue One here.