Marvel Comics to release 5-issue 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' seriesFeb 21(AZINS) After the huge success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Marvel has got hold of the characters for a brand new comic series. The comic will run as a five-issue series and will be penned by Chuck Wendig with art from Luke Ross, which debuted exclusively on Comic Book Resources, reported Digital Spy.

"The Force Awakens knocked our socks off from the very first time we saw it, and we could not wait to start being able to play with these new, awesome characters," editor Jordan D White said. "Now, we get to bring all of them to the pages of our comics with an adaptation of the film we loved so much. We're all fans first, so it's all love that is bringing these pages to life."

Meanwhile, the shooting for the next installment in the franchise, Star Wars: Episode VIII, has begun at London's Pinewood Studios, Disney. Actor Benicio Del Toro and actor Laura Dern have joined the film's cast.

The film is written and directed by Looper" helmer Rian Johnson. Episode VIII will continue the storyline introduced by The Force Awakens and is slated for December 15, 2017 release.