Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens trailer: Oscar Isaac reveals the film's central plot

Princess Leia sets star X-Wing pilot on a mission

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast were out in force (appropriately) at a special Star Wars Celebration panel last night, where the second trailer for the sequel was premiered.

There is plenty to pour over during its two-minute run length – with the return of Han and Chewie, a decaying Vader mask and Luke getting a bionic hand – but some sizable spoilers were also served up during the panel chat.

"[Poe is] the best friggin' pilot in the galaxy," Isaac said of his character Poe Dameron. "He's been sent on a mission by a certain princess. He comes across John Boyega's character and their fates are forever intertwined."

That "princess" is almost certainly Leia, who is thought to be seen briefly in the trailer handing over Luke's lightsaber to a new hero.

A downed X-Wing is seen on the desert planet of Jakku, which may well be Dameron's. That scene combined with this new plot detail suggests Boyega and Isaac's characters meet after Dameron crash lands among the ruins of a Star Destroyer.

Boyega was more coy as to why his character was looking do confused and desperate on Jakku.

"We find Finn in incredible danger," he said. "The way he reacts changes his life and launches him into the Star Wars universe in a very unique way."

Daisy Ridley's character Rey also gets caught up in the pair's mission.

"We discover Rey on desert planet Jakku," Ridley revealed. "She's a scavenger [and] very self-sufficient until she meets another character and her adventure begins."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will arrive in cinemas on 18 December, 2015.