Lucasfilm has announced the cast for the upcoming Star Wars Episode IX and it confirms the return of some old favorites as well as an interesting addition to the cast itself.
Confirmed
The cast list confirms that Billy Dee Williams will be returning to the Star Wars universe as smuggler Lando Calrissian.
Mark Hamill will also return for Episode IX. After seemingly joining the Force at the end of The Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker will return after all. Will he be a Force Ghost or something more?
Returning
The returning cast members for Episode IX includes Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Anthony Daniels and Billie Lourd.
John Williams, who has scored every Star Wars saga film will return to score Episode IX.
New
The new additions to the cast of Episode IX include Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Gosford Park, Hudson Hawk), and Keri Russell (The Americans)
Surprise
Carrie Fisher will return for Episode IX. After her tragic death in 2016, fans wondered how her character would exit the series and Episode IX director JJ Abrams explained how she will be in the film.
“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says director J.J. 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.”
Episode IX is expected to begin filming next week and will be released December 2019.