With Star Wars: Episode IX set to start shooting next month, the full cast for the film has been officially announced.
In terms of returning names, Disney has confirmed that Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Anthony Williams, and Billie Lourd will be back. Interestingly, Mark Hamill is also confirmed to be back in the saddle as Luke Skywalker (presumably as a Force Ghost), and, as revealed a month or two ago, Billy Dee Williams will be reprising the Lando Calrissian role that he last played (in live-action, at least) in Return of the Jedi.
Additionally, director J.J. Abrams has moved to reveal that Carrie Fisher will once again be back as Leia Organa. As Abrams explained, “We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. 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 honour Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”
Where new additions are concerned, Withnail and I’s Richard E. Grant, The Americans’ Keri Russell, and Doctor Who’s Naomi Ackie have to-be-revealed roles.
The current plan is for Star Wars: Episode IX to start filming at Pinewood Studios on August 1st. Abrams has put the script together with Argo and Justice League’s Chris Terrio, and the iconic John Williams will again provide the movie’s score.
Star Wars: Episode IX is set for a December 2019 release.