Anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Fans haven’t seen an official image yet, let alone a teaser or trailer for the final film in the Skywalker saga. The main trailer might not arrive until Star Wars Celebration in April. After the unexpected major split in the fanbase following The Last Jedi, JJ Abrams has a huge job to bring home the three trilogies and some reunite two massively opposed factions. Despite numerous leaks, rumours and reports, secrecy is tight around Episode 9 but one of the newest stars to join the franchise has huge news for fans.
Richard E Grant is currently promoting his new film, Can You Ever Forgive Me, for which he has just been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
However, it is no surprise he is constantly being asked about his mystery role in the next Star Wars blockbuster.
The Brit actor told Radio Times: “I’m absolutely astonished. Absolutely gobsmacked. From where I grew up…it is just beyond anything I could ever have really imagined for myself. So I’m thrilled. Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled.”
Grant has seen the scripts so he knows what is coming and he warned fans to brace themselves.
Grant added: “I absolutely understand why they’re so secretive about it because it’s very exciting.
“Oh, it’s definitely worth it. If you’re a Star Wars fan, and I am, then knowing what’s coming in this is quite something.”
This will only add to the anticipation (and pressure) for Abrams to deliver a satisfying finale to all nine films.
Back in August, Grant also blew away the report he was playing Admiral Thrawn during an interview: “I’m not playing the Star Wars character you just mentioned. I’m not allowed to tell you anything. Otherwise, I would be fired.”
He is, however, clearly very excited to be involved in the movie and possibly even more excited about how Disney and Lucasfilm will wrap 42 years of cinemas history.
Grant said: “I saw the first one when I was a 20-year-old drama student in 1977. So if you told me 41 years later I’d be in the final Star Wars, I would have said you were completely mad, it’s not possible… I’m absolutely astonished. Absolutely gobsmacked.”
STAR WARS 9 IS OUT ON DECEMBER 19
ORIGINAL STORY IN RADIO TIMES