Star Wars has launched an official Instagram account, Digital Spy said.

Posting a selfie from Darth Vader, a tweet urged followers to subscribe, saying: "It is useless to resist."

The Instagram page has been unveiled ahead of Star Wars: Episode VII, which is expected for a December 18, 2015 release.

Two behind-the-scenes photos from the original films have also been posted on the account, including a concept model of the Star Destroyer in A New Hope.

In 12 hours, the Instagram page attracted just under 60,000 followers.

Producers are currently searching for two lead roles in the upcoming seventh instalment of the sci-fi franchise - a "street smart" girl in her late teens and a "smart, capable" man in his early 20s.

R2-D2 was recently confirmed to be making a return to the series.