The Force is with us

Just when it seemed that Darth Vader had heavy breathed his last, the world of Star Wars has returned with a vengeance.

This follows the several billion dollar sale of George Lucas's Lucasfilm to Disney - and the promise of an Episode 7 for 2015.

After six films since 1977 when the franchise first burst on an unsuspecting galaxy very close to home, creator Lucas, 68, said: "It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I've always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it important to set up the transition during my lifetime."

Quite where the series will pick up is currently unclear since the last batch of three films were designed as a 'prequel' to the original trio of blockbusters..

With the current power of the so-called "grey pound" which, thanks to the box office success of films like The King's Speech and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, has seen a surge in middle-age audiences, don't rule out the possibility of Harrison Ford & Co unbuckling their light sabers for a new, slightly arthritic, adventure in space.