Star Wars fans were given an exciting sneak peek at the next chapter of the movie series earlier this week with the release of the first trailer for The Last Jedi.
But while some people were left fascinated by the fates of characters like Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, another more unlikely star emerged from the clip in the form of fluffy alien creatures called Porgs.
The fluffly hamster-like creatures, which have enormous eyes, have stirred up more commotion online than almost any of the other characters, quickly shooting to viral fame thanks to their adorable appearance.
Porgs domination! The latest creature to join the Star Wars legacy are penguin-like aliens called Porgs, that debuted in The Last Jedi trailer earlier this week
The Force and the fans: The tiny shrieking creatures have already amassed a massive fan base, with one dedicated follower recreating the movie poster with Porg replacements
Relatable: Fans took to Twitter to share the few released images of the new creature crying and screaming with cheeky captions such as ‘The Porgs capture both my emotions’
Die-hard fan! One Instagram user was so obsessed with the creatures that he already got his hands on a plush version of the puppy-eyed creature, days after their trailer debut
The trailer shows just a few seconds of the aliens, showing a wide-eyed Porg sitting at the helm of a space ship alongside Chewbacca, nervously looking into the distance and revealing a shocking siren-like wail as its long wings jut out in alarm.
Although the film, set for a Christmas release date, also revealed other magical creatures including ice foxes and fish-like aliens called Caretakers, the soft and furry Porgs have taken the cake as the most anticipated new character.
Porgs are bird-like animals native to the planet of Luke Skywalker’s exile, Ahch-To. The tiny creatures are about the size of a penguin, are covered in white and brown fur with wings, and have hamster-like faces that feature overwhelmingly large eyes.
The idea for the sweet and friendly beasts stemmed from the packs of puffins that dot Ireland’s coast.
The Last Jedi writer and director Rian Johnson said that the inspiration for the creatures came from a walk on the set of the final scenes of The Force Awakens along Irish island Skellig Michael, according to Entertainment Weekly.
‘If you go to Skellig at the right time of year, it’s just covered in puffins, and they’re the most adorable things in the world. So when I was first scouting there, I saw these guys, and I was like, oh, these are part of the island. And so the Porgs are in that realm,’ he said to EW.
And fans have taken to Twitter to fawn over the highly-anticipated creatures with appreciation posts, blogs and fan art.
Move over, Skywalker! Twitter users’ impressive fan art erased Luke Skywalker as the story protagonist and replaced him with the image of a light saber-wielding Porg
Love only! Some fans couldn’t take any heat against the harmless, friendly creatures and told Twitter users to unfollow if they refused to appreciate Porgs
Impressive! Fan Andie loved the creatures so much, she sketched a trio of Porg friends
Moving on! One meme reveals a man ditching his former Star Wars mate the Ewok to admire the cuteness of the latest magical character the Porg
‘This is a porg appreciation blog. Unfollow if you don’t appreciate Porg,’ one Twitter fan wrote, sharing an image of the sad faced, wide-eyed animal.
Impressive fan art includes remakes of the movie’s cover poster, replacing all characters with light saber wielding Porgs instead.
‘Star Wars: The Last Porg…#I’mnotsorry’ one Star Wars junkie shared on Twitter with his impressive Porg movie poster.
‘When you realize the #TheLastJedi is really just about Porgs,’ another fan stated with his Luke Skywalker Porg art.
One created a cartoon animation of the creatures holding hands with the caption, ‘Some Porgs while we wait.’
Even non Star Wars fans went gaga for the aliens.
Want it, need it! One fan revealed her roommate didn’t even care for the series, but was immediately taken with the furry creature
Gimmie Gimmie! Twiter users became adamant about their need for the fantasy creature in their life, while others took to the stores to purchase the plush versions
Be warned! Bill predicted that the aliens would become a hit gift this holiday season
Stop the hate! One fan used Twitter to convince the Star Wars community to stop the hate against the creatures, and to adore it instead
Won the heart! A hilarious edited photo from an old Star Wars films reveals a captain holding on to the series’ latest cuddly character
‘My roommate who doesn’t care about Star Wars saw the Porg and screamed WHAT IS THAT I WANT ONE,’ Twitter user Victoria wrote.
One wise follower warned those hating on the new creature, that they shouldn’t choose their ill will too soon.
‘Everyone hating on Porgs now, remember how you mocked them when it’s December and you can’t find the Porg toy your kid wants for Christmas,’ user Bill wrote.
But most of the internet buzz was positive for the flapping aliens.
‘Stop pretending you hate Porgs. You love ’em. They’re your favorite thing in fact. Porg Porg Porg Porg. Porg Porg,’ a die-hard fan adamantly wrote.
‘Ok I was hesitant about the new Star Wars trailer but the relationship between the captain and those porgs may have won me over,’ another fan wrote sharing a photo shopped image from an earlier Star Wars film where the space ship captain holds onto a porg while swarmed by furry creatures.