Star Wars Episode IX is set to start filming on August 1 at Pinewood Studios in London.
JJ Abrams returns to direct the final instalment of the contemporary Star Wars trilogy.
Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio, known for his work on Logan and Justice League.
Who is in the cast of Star Wars Episode IX
First, the returning cast members – and there are plenty of them.
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Of course, Daisy Ridley returns as Rey with Adam Driver returning as Kylo Ren.
Other main characters turning are John Boyega as Finn, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, and Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron.
Maz’s voice actress Lupita Nyong’o is returning to Episode 9 along with Domhnall Gleeson as Hux, Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, and Billie Lourd, Carrie Fisher’s daughter, as Kaydel Ko Connix.
Quelling some fears, Mark Hamill also appears on the cast list – though how exactly remains to be seen (some speculate as a force ghost).
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Anthony Daniels returns as C3PO.
But perhaps most excitingly, Carrie Fisher will return as Leia Organa by using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
In a statement, Abrams said: “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.”
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“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.”
Halfway between new cast members and original cast members, Billy Dee Williams will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.
Newcomers to the cast of Episode IX include Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell.
These new actors have yet to be given characters and given Lucasfilms’ secrecy, it is unlikely fans will find out who they’re playing before Lucasfilm is ready for them to know.
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Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, JJ Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan, and executive produced by Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin.
The crew includes Dan Mindel (Director of Photography), Rick Carter and Kevin Jenkins (Co-Production Designers), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Neal Scanlan (Creature and Droid FX).
Editors are Maryann Brandon and Stefan Grube, Roger Guyett (VFX Supervisor), Tommy Gormley (1st AD), and Victoria Mahoney (2nd Unit Director).
Star Wars Episode IX is in cinemas Thursday, December 19 2019.