The new Star Wars film is to be called The Force Awakens, Walt Disney Pictures announced today.

The movie had previously only been known as Episode VII.

Disney also said that principal photography has wrapped up on the JJ Abrams-directed sequel six months after it began.

The shoot was one of the most closely-followed productions in recent memory, with constant rumours emanating from the tightly-guarded set.

Part of the filming took place on Skellig Michael in Co Kerry during the summer with the World Heritage site temporarily on lockdown with tight security and even an Irish navy ship monitoring the waters around the island.

Actor Mark Hamill – who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy – was among those who visited Kerry for the shoot.

Shooting shut down for several weeks in July after Harrison Ford broke his leg during filming at Pinewood Studios outside London.

The Force Awakens will be released in December 2015.