IT'S funny how a little thing like a movie series can bridge the gap between different generations of a family.

That seems to be the power that Star Wars still has 38 years after the first film hit cinemas.

I'm 32 now and although I was too young to watch the original trilogy the first time around, I remember being absolutely immersed in the galactic adventure when a special edition was re-released for cinemas in 1997.

Then, of course, there were the prequel trilogy films between 1999 and 2005 which largely disappointed fans but at least kept the epic story going.

Darth Vader lines are still regularly spouted by my nerdy friends and my nephew Ben is little seen without a Star Wars T-shirt on, playing Lego Star Wars or Angry Birds Star Wars on his Nintendo 3DS or talking about Disney's animated Star Wars Rebels.

I imagine it's the same for many families and friend groups.

Ok, describing Star Wars as a 'little thing' might be pushing it. Disney bought the rights for the sci-fi franchise from creator George Lucas for £2.5billion.

But it's astonishing that this beloved series of films keeps this cycle going.

Maybe it's the classic and universal theme of good triumphing over evil with all the excitement of the exotic and perilous planets, iconic characters and the sci-fi wonder of space battles and lightsaber duels added into the mix.

John Williams' excellent score probably had a lot to do with it too.

All I know is that my son is less than 18 months old and I already find myself thinking about when I can take him to the movies to see a Star Wars film for the first time.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams and re-uniting the original cast, hits cinemas in December. Too young.

Spin-off film Rogue One is about X-Wing pilots and will have Godzilla director Gareth Edwards at the helm. It is being released in December 2016 with The Theory of Everything’s Felicity Jones as the lead.

Still too young.

Star Wars Episode VIII is coming out in May 2017, directed by the excellent Rian Johnson, who made Looper and Brick.

My son will be about three and a half then. Still a bit too soon.

Maybe Episode IX will be the one but with Disney's plan to dominate cinemas with a new Star Wars film every year until 2019, the opportunity will no doubt arise.

But the important question is: will the next generation feel that same, almost magical, connection with the new films?

Can Disney use the force or at least throw enough money and enough talented filmmakers to make it work on a level for both new and old fans alike?

It's a gamble (just ask George Lucas after he made The Phantom Menace) but families across the world will be excitedly waiting for the answer to those questions.

Check out a teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens below.