'Star Wars' fans thrilled as a porg appears on 'The Rise of Skywalker' poster, but someone's missing

The Porgs are back in town, it seems, after one of the cuddly critters was spotted on the new German poster for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

However, fans also noted that General Leia is not present on the poster, despite promises she will still play a key role in the new film.

One of the adorable alien residents of Ahch-To appears in the corner of the new artwork, suggesting that the creatures will show up in J.J. Abrams’ trilogy-closing epic.

They were introduced in The Last Jedi as the indigenous residents of the isolated planet where Luke Skywalker had been in hiding.

Read more: New character posters for The Rise of Skywalker

Initially divisive among Star Wars fans, who deemed them a shoehorned-in merchandising opportunity, the social media reaction to the new poster suggests they now have something of a following.

Amid the Porg love-in, though, the absence of Leia did not go unnoticed among fans of the franchise.

Read more: Details of Leia’s original Rise of Skywalker role

Actor Carrie Fisher passed away in 2016 at the age of 60, but Abrams will include her in the film by utilising footage shot during the making of 2015’s The Force Awakens.

The new poster teases the enormous ensemble cast for the film, which will have to manage an epic scale in order to pull the entire, 40-year history of Star Wars together.

Daisy Ridley’s Rey will be pitted against First Order leader Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and, with the help of her friends Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), she will hope to bring down the villainous forces exerting control over the galaxy.

Read more: Mixed reviews for Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian

The precise plot is shrouded in secrecy, but Abrams has promised that he and his team are “not screwing around” and will deliver a “satisfying” conclusion to the franchise.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will arrive in UK cinemas on 19 December.