The new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer is here - and it's awesome

Star Wars fans were forced to watch sport to see a full trailer for the next film in the series - but it seems it was worth it.

A full trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shown during the half-time break of ESPN'S Monday Night football - watch it in the video player above this story.

The trailer formally introduces the film's diverse leads including Stormtrooper-turned-Jedi Finn (John Boyega), scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley), X-Wing pilot Poe (Oscar Isaac) and villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

Veteran characters Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca also show up in the trailer, with an ominous appearance by Darth Vader's mask.

Although excited for the trailer, fans were upset by the lack of new footage of the original trilogy's hero Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

"Okay so, where's Luke Skywalker? @Disney," said one fan.

"They hiding Luke Skywalker. Wasn't on the poster or in the new trailer," Tony Romanello tweeted.

One of the film's stars, Ridley, was particularly excited about the trailer.

She wasn't the only one saying the wait was worth it, with many praising the trailer's contents.

Chills upon chills upon chills over that Star Wars trailer GIVE IT TO ME

— Peyton (@peytonopoly) October 20, 2015

That new Star Wars trailer. 😮😍👍👌

— Evan Berry (@evanberry20) October 20, 2015

For a second there I was nine years old again seeing my first Star Wars trailer.

— kɔɪjəʊ, coyo (@coyohti) October 20, 2015

But building up to the trailer led true Star Wars geeks to meltdown, wondering when the football torture would end.

"I'm really just trynna watch this Star Wars trailer already... Absolutely zero interest do I have about this game," one fan said, evoking Yoda.

"Can these two teams just get to half time already? Jeez I need my Star Wars trailer already," Jacob Tovar tweeted.

Others have outright refused to watch football for the trailer.

"Not even the new Star Wars trailer can get me to watch football. Someone let me know when it's online pls," a fan whose display picture is of Tina Fey as Princess Leia from an episode of 30 Rock tweeted.

And some super fans just need the trailer right now.

"JUST GIVE ME THE DAMN STAR WARS TRAILER," Nick Moscato tweeted.

Just go to half time so we can see the #StarWars trailer!

— Ian Supinger (@Soupysithlord) October 20, 2015

Advanced tickets for Star Wars: The Force Awakens went on sale in New Zealand today, ahead of its December 17 release date.

- nzherald.co.nz