Star Wars Episode VIII finally has a name after months of speculation
The penultimate installment in the space epic will be titled The Last Jedi.
StarWars.com confirmed the news via Twitter on Monday morning.
The Last Jedi: Star Wars Episode VIII's official title unveiled ahead of December release
'It's official. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is the next chapter of the Skywalker saga. This December. #TheLastJedi,' the site posted on twitter.
It is scheduled for a December 15th release.
The title undoubtedly refers to Luke Skywalker, last seen in the final scene of Episode VII, The Force Awakens.
He was serving a self-imposed exile following the loss of his student and nephew Ben Solo, AKA Kylo Ren, to the Dark Side of the Force.
One left: The title undoubtedly refers to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) last seen in the final scene of Episode VII, The Force Awakens
He is, as far as fans are aware, the only living Jedi in the Star Wars universe, after the order was all but wiped out by his father, Darth Vader, and Emperor Palpatine.
Indeed in 1980's Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Jedi master Yoda confirms to his student: 'When I am gone, the last of the Jedi will you be'.
The plot of JJ Abrams film revolved around the search for Luke, and concluded with Daisy Ridely's Rey finally tracking him down at a long lost Jedi temple, on an isolated island on a remote planet.
It was actor Mark Hamill's only scene in the entire film.
The newly titled film, according to its director Rian Johnson, will pick up immediately where its predecessor left off.
Were is he? The plot of JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens revolved around the search for Luke, and concluded with Daisy Ridely's Rey finally tracking him down at a long lost Jedi temple, on an isolated island on a remote planet
Since December 2015, fans have been speculating as to the connection between Rey and Luke, with many believing she is his daughter.
Johnson previously admitted that Star Wars: Episode VIII would focus on Rey learning and beginning to understand her connection to The Force.
He explained: 'Part of what's she's dealing with is the realisation that she has this power and this gift. She's taking her first step to coming to terms with this thing inside her that she never knew was there and is just starting to reveal its potential.
'I don't want to skip ahead two years. I want to see the very next moment of what happens.'
Called it: In 1980's Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Jedi master Yoda confirms to his student: 'When I am gone, the last of the Jedi will you be'
However if Rey does indeed become a Jedi, the film's title may in turn refer to her by its conclusion... hinting that Luke might follow Harisson Ford and Han Solo's lead in getting killed off.
The new title will also serve as a sad reminder that Leia Oraganaonce billed by Yoda as a possible Jedi herselfis unlikely to realise that potential following the untimely death of Carrie Fisher.
Lucasfilm have already dismissed suggestions they are seeking the rights to use her digital image in future Star Wars films.
It had been claimed Disney had entered negotiations to her use likeness with the late actress' estate following her death last month at the age of 60, but they insist that is not the case, though they will always 'strive to honour everything' the star gave to the sci-fi series.
A statement posted on StarWars.com read: "We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher's performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.
"Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honour everything she gave to Star Wars."
After recent 'Star Wars' prequel 'Rogue One' featured a likeness of Peter Cushing, despite the actor having died in 1994, BBC's 'Newsnight' programme reported Disney wanted to use the same technology to enable Carrie's General Leia to appear in future films in the series.
Kirsty Wark said on the show: 'With what might be regarded as unseemly haste, Disney is negotiating with the actor's estate over her continued appearance in the franchise. If Disney gets the go-ahead, Carrie Fisher will join Peter Cushing, who, last month, played a key role in Rogue One as Grand Moff Tarkin.'
Carrie was believed to have completed filming on 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' before her death, though there are further films planned in the franchise.
It was previously claimed the studio will receive a staggering $50 million after having taken out insurance incase the actress was unable to fulfil her three-movie contract.
Lloyds of London will pay out for the "contract protection cover", with the insurance underwritten by US-based Exceptional Risk Advisors, who say there are "experts in insuring complex human capital risks for highly successful individuals".
The staggering sum is said to be the biggest personal accident insurance claim ever.
Daily Mail