Lucasfilm have announced the cast of Star Wars: Episode IX. The biggest surprise included in the press release is that Carrie Fisher will posthumously reprise her role as Leia Organa: director J.J. Abrams stated, “Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us.” With the blessing of Billie Lorde, Fisher’s daughter, and the actress who portrays Lieutenant Connix in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, the final installment of the Skywalker Saga will implement unused footage from The Force Awakens “to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX.”
Star Wars alums Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) are slated to return alongside Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian onscreen for the first time since 1983. The original cast will once more join Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), and Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca) for the final film.
Lucasfilm also announced that Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth, The Five) and Richard E. Grant (Logan, Downton Abbey) will star in unspecified roles. On Twitter, Grant thanked casting director Nina Gold, and remarked, “I saw Star Wars in 1977 when I was at Drama School. Being cast in the final instalment of the Skywalker trilogy in 2018, feels like an utterly out of body experience!” Although her name is absent from the announcement, Keri Russell (The Americans) will still appear in an unknown role, having signed on after Lucasfilm went to press.
Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s Pinewood Studios on August 1, 2018. J.J. Abrams will direct the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio whose recent work includes Justice League. The film will be released in December 2019.
