Star Wars composer John Williams has announced the next episode of the saga will be his last, leaving a vacuum in the force.

In an interview with radio station KUSC, the 86-year-old veteran - who has scored all the main Star Wars films since the original in 1977 - said Episode IX will be his last.

"We know JJ Abrams is preparing one now that I will hopefully do next year for him," he said.

"I look forward to it, and we'll round out a series of nine that will be quite enough for me."

With a staggering 51 Oscar nominations, Williams is one of the most-nominated individuals of all time - second only to Walt Disney.


So who could fill in his shoes after this trilogy wraps up?