Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens teaser trailer hasn't leaked - but it is coming this week

Trailer is expected to be shown before Big Hero 6 in US cinemas

(LucasFilm)

It may still be over a year until Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in cinemas, but it looks like we'll be getting a teaser trailer at the end of the week.

There are a few links being shared on Twitter and Facebook claiming to show a leaked version of it, but in the video the words 'Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away…' fade away into Rick Astley.

The real thing will be shown in select cinemas in the US on Friday though, so expect the blurry iPhone-filmed version to pop up on YouTube/Dailymotion late that evening.

Given that it's so difficult to stop people filming in cinemas now, it's possible Disney might release the full HD version online during the day.

The previews will be tacked to the front of films at the following cinemas:

CA, Irvine - Edwards Irvine Spectrum 22 & IMAX

CA, San Diego - Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX

GA, Atlanta - Regal Atlantic Station Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX

IL, Chicago - Regal City North Stadium 14 IMAX & RPX

NY, New York - Regal Union Square Stadium 14

PA, Warrington - Regal Warrington Crossing Stadium 22 & IMAX

TN, Knoxville - Regal Pinnacle Stadium 18 IMAX & RPX

TX, Houston - Edwards Houston Marq'E Stadium 23 IMAX & RPX

WA, Seattle - Regal Thornton Place Stadium 14 & IMAX

A GIF purportedly from the trailer showing the Millennium Falcon zooming towards the camera was also widely shared this week (below), but given the low quality CG and lens flare (which Abrams recently recognised he overuses) it's unlikely it's the real deal.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens wrapped earlier this month, and has a release date of 18 December, 2015.