This Christmas fans were treated to the franchise's first ever spin-off in the form of Rogue One. While Star Wars Episode VIII will come out this December, the next spin-off was due for a May 25, 2018 release. However Den of Geek are now reporting that the currently untitled Young Han Solo movie will move to December 13, 2018.

LUCASFILM The Young Han Solo movie has been delayed to December 2018

GETTY/LUCASFILM Alden Ehnrenreich will star as Han Solo

The rumour isn’t officially confirmed yet, but the move would make a lot of sense for Disney. The studio have just enjoyed their biggest ever box office haul in 2016 with over $7 billion (£5.7 billion). The move would also continue the current tradition of a Star Wars film being released every December. After all, Episode IX is set for release in December 2019 as well.

Star Wars: Then & Now Wed, December 28, 2016 With the first Star Wars movie being released in 1977, here are the many cast members then and now. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 12 Carrie Fisher played one of her biggest roles as Princess Leia in Star Wars. She filmed scenes for the latest Star Wars Episode VIII due out in 2017 before her tragic death on 27th December 2016

The new spin-off stars Hail, Caesar!’s Alden Ehrenreich as the younger Han Solo, joined by a younger Lando Calrissian – played by Community’s Donald Glover. Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has also joined the cast, with The LEGO Movie and Jump Street’s Chris Miller and Phil Lord on directing duties. The film will be a Western-style heist film and is expected to spawn a trilogy as Ehrenreich is signed on for at least three movies in total.

GETTY Donald Glover and Emilia Clarke will also star in the Young Han Solo movie