‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Casting and Filming Announced

The stage has now been set for what could be the most controversial Star Wars film of all time. Fans are still divided on the choices made by Rian Johnson in The Last Jedi, with some calling for a complete retcon of the film. Just a few minutes ago, Starwars.com Announced the cast for the new film along with the news that the film would start shooting in just the next couple of weeks.

The two biggest reveals in the casting were that we would not only be getting more Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, but that they figured out a way to bring Carrie Fisher in to help complete her story-arc. Here’s what director JJ Abrams had to say about Fisher and Episode IX:

“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 honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII.”

Along with Hammil and Fisher, Star Wars: Episode IX will also star Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, Anthony Daniels, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. The announcement also confirmed the additions of Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. There’s no current word on the rumored inclusion of both Greg Grunberg and Keri Russell to the cast.

Finally, it is confirmed that John Williams will return to score his final journey to a galaxy far, far away with the new film.