It is the hotly-anticipated final film in the latest Star Wars trilogy, set for release in December 2019.

And Star Wars fans got a first look at Episode IX as Chewbacca, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac were pictured filming outside London on Thursday.

John, who plays former Stormtrooper Finn in the film series, looked focused as he chatted with Oscar (Resistance Commander Poe Dameron) on a hillside, surrounded by the film crew.

A galaxy far, far, away: Star Wars fans got a first look at Episode IX as Chewbacca, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac (above) were pictured filming outside London on Thursday

Chewie! Wookiee Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo, toted a gun as he stood alongside an armed horse covered in grey fur

Talented John, looked ready for action in a maroon t-shirt, paired with a khaki gilet, blue trousers and leather boots.

Oscar, 39, showed off his hunky physique in an open-necked shirt teamed with tan trousers and knee-high boots.

He completed his look with a leather shoulder bag.

May the force be with you: John, who plays former Stormtrooper Finn in the film series, looked focused as he chatted with Oscar Isaac (Resistance Commander Poe Dameron) on a hillside, surrounded by the film crew

Out of this world: Chewbacca was seen filming scenes with a fearsome looking guard on the hillside

Hunky: Talented John, looked ready for action in a maroon t-shirt, paired with a khaki gilet, blue trousers and leather boots

Talented: Oscar, 39, showed off his hunky physique in an open-necked shirt teamed with tan trousers and knee-high boots

Different sight: At one point he sheltered under an umbrella to keep his costume dry when rain poured down

Dynamic duo: John and Joonas looked magical as they filmed scenes for the new film

Going to war: Chewbacca looked stern as he toted a gun alongside an extra

Wookiee Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo, was also spotted on the set, toting a gun as he stood alongside an armed horse, covered in grey fur.

At one point he sheltered under an umbrella to keep his costume dry when rain poured down.

The star also took off the top part of his costume as he chatted with crew members.

Newcomer to the franchise, and British actress, Naomi Ackie looked amazing in her impressive outfit

Extras were dotted on the hillside, clad in oversize camouflage coats.

Ready: John and Oscar looked prepared for the day's busy filming schedule

Mystery: A cast of actors, whose characters could potentially play a part in the resistance, stood on the hill patiently

Professional: The two actors embodied their characters as they shot scenes

Other-worldly: Joonas and his scene partner could be seen with horses which had been decked out in woolly fur and orange tape so that CGI could be added in during post-production

Stylish: The actors looked incredible in their costumes as they walked up the hill

Exciting: John and Oscar could be seen walking away from the other actors in the scene

Other members of the cast donned dirty black and grey coats as they listened intently to instructions from the team.

The film is directed by J.J Abrams who said he 'wanted to go beyond, and do better than we did in 7', (The Force Awakens).

The last film in the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi was released in 2017.

In July it was announced Abrams will use unreleased footage of Carrie Fisher in the next Star Wars film to give the latest trilogy a 'satisfying conclusion.'

New character: British actress Naomi Ackie looked amazing in her impressive outfit

Discussing: John and Oscar were busy chatting about the scene while they rested

Unexplored territory? The grassy plain was a surrogate setting for an unknown planet

Relaxing: During a break from filming, Joonas could be seen waiting in the rain

In character: John and Oscar looked stylish in their respective ensembles

Beaming: Naomi appeared to giggle as a gust of wind picked up

Waiting for their cue: Naomi, Joonas and another actor were ready to film

Lucasfilm and Abrams shared the news on Friday that footage of Fisher shot for 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be used in the ninth film in the space opera's core trilogies about the Skywalker family.

Fisher died in 2016 at the age of 60 after she finished work on The Last Jedi. She has played Leia Organa since the first Star Wars film, which debuted in 1977.

'Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character,' Abrams said in a statement.

Keeping warm: The actors wore military-print jackets to protect themselves from the wind

Touch up: The actors were looked over by the make-up team in between takes

Filming: John and Oscar were clearly in character as Finn and Poe

Cool outfit: Naomi's look included a fascinating semi-sheer cape

What's happening? Smoke could be seen being blown out onto set

'With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.'

It's not much of a surprise that Billie will also appear in IX, reprising her role as Lieutenant Connix.

The 26-year-old blonde star was in the last two films as well.

Friday's announcement also confirmed that Billy Dee Williams will be returning to the franchise as Lando Calrissian, a hero of the rebellion who hasn't been seen in the latest trilogy.

Prepared: The actors were keen to get filming, as Naomi adjusted her headgear

Busy: The cast seemed to film the same scene several times over the day

Rebel fighter: John's character Finn is clearly ready for his role as a figure of the resistance

Everything is set: The cast were ready for whatever came their way in the scene

Hectic: There was a lot going on behind the scenes with the crew hurriedly getting ready

Watching: The cast stared at John and Oscar as they made their way down the hill

Cosy: Extras kept warm with coffee and loose-fitting clothing as they waited to film

A younger version of Lando was played by Donald Glover in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, will also appear in the film.

Anthony Daniels will reprise his role at C-3PO. Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant have also joined the cast.

It is also likely that droid BB-8 will be back.

Other returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, and Kelly Marie Tran.

Abrams co-wrote Episode IX with Chris Terrio. John Williams will return to score the film.

This comes on the heels of the spinoff movie Solo: A Star Wars Story which was released in May to mixed reviews.

Go Chewie: Joonas looked perfect in his Chewbacca costume

What could it be? It was unclear what was happening out on set as the actors shot their scenes

Talkative: The cast members chatted away in between takes

Now what? Chewbacca turned to his fellow characters after Finn and Poe had left

Getting ready: The other castmembers were prepared as they waited on the sidelines

Protected: When it began raining Joonas used an umbrella to protect his outfit