Disney and Lucasfilm have just revealed the cast of Star Wars: Episode IX. As expected, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd will be reprising their characters from previous films. They 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 film marks the directorial return to the Star Wars Universe of J.J. Abrams.
The real news though is that the role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher. However, previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be used. “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.”
Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming at London’s Pinewood Studios on August 1, 2018. It is scheduled to hit theaters in December 2019.
