Star Wars: The Force Awakens release date moved forward for UK cinema-goers

Fans will get to see the JJ Abrams space epic 24 hours earlier than expected

A still from the first trailer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (YouTube)

Star Wars fans have had the wait for seventh instalment The Force Awakens shortened after the UK release date was brought forward by 24 hours.

The much-hyped JJ Abrams film was due in cinemas on Friday 18 December but Lucasfilm has now announced that it will open a day earlier. France will still get to see the movie first on 16 December, reportedly because a rule states that new films must be released on Wednesdays there.

Plot details have been kept secret but we do know that The Force Awakens picks up 30 years after 1983's Return of the Jedi.

Original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill are returning alongside newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac.

The movie is predicted to be a mammoth box office hit with its opening weekend take estimated at $615 million. No pressure then.