Further to last weekend’s news that Dominic Monaghan (LOST) had joined the currently-filming Star Wars: Episode IX cast at a late stage, now comes reports that another genre alum has signed on in the form of fan fave Matt Smith (Doctor Who)!

As is par for the course, no information has been revealed yet as to whom Smith might be playing, but sources have indicated that this is no mere cameo ala Tom Hardy (Stormtrooper in TLJ) or Daniel Craig (Stormtrooper in TFA). Expect more news as to Smith’s involvement as we endure the 16-month wait until Star Wars: Episode IX’s release.

To tied us over until then, in addition to the myriad of comic books and novels few can keep up with, come two (possibly three) new Star Wars TV shows. Resistance hits first on October 7th, and just recently dropped this colourful new poster:

This will be followed by the SDCC-announced surprise new season of The Clone Wars sometime next year that will debut on Disney Play, the company’s essential new streaming service. The third in development might not hit until 2020 realistically, but for the benefit of doubt we’ll include it here anyway – Jon Favreau’s still-untitled live-action series (also exclusive to Disney Play) is strongly rumoured to revolve around the Mandalorian culture, and given Favs’s relationship with The Clone Wars (he voices Pre Visla in several Mandalore-centric episodes), we’re kind of inclined to believe them!

More information from the galaxy far, far away as we get it….

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX opens December 2019.

Source: Variety

Original STAR WARS – EPISODE IX Press Release:

Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s Pinewood Studios on August 1, 2018. J.J. Abrams returns to direct the final installment of the Skywalker saga. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio.

Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell, who will be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.

The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says Abrams. “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Episode IX.

Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan, and executive produced by Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin. The crew includes Dan Mindel (Director of Photography), Rick Carter and Kevin Jenkins (Co-Production Designers), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Neal Scanlan (Creature and Droid FX), Maryann Brandon and Stefan Grube (Editors), Roger Guyett (VFX Supervisor), Tommy Gormley (1st AD), and Victoria Mahoney (2nd Unit Director).