After JJ Abrams’ initial casting announcement last year, several other newcomers were reported to have signed up. One of those was former Doctor Who and The Crown favourite Matt Smith – but he’s now said he won’t be in it after all. Indeed, his casting was never confirmed by Lucasfilm – so was it a false alarm all along? Or is he just good at keeping the secrets?
He told the LA Times: “As far as I can tell, I’m definitely not [in it].”
Variety reported last August that he was on the line-up, joining the likes of Richard E Grant, Keri Russell, Naomi Ackie and Dominic Monaghan as a new arrival in a galaxy far, far away.
However he has been noticeably missing from many of the alleged leaks and rumoured plot details that have spilled out in recent months.
It’s not unusual for incoming stars to keep quiet on who they’re playing, but it is rare for them to lie outright about being in it – so can we assume we won’t see Smith after all?
In any case, footage from Episode 9 was shown to shareholders yesterday.
One person who attended, Scott Ladewig, posted: “The footage from Avengers, Episode IX, Lion King, and Aladdin all looked great. Hopefully the people up in arms about the genie will settle down once they see what we saw.”
Pushed further on Episode 9, he wrote: “We saw a blockade runner in an abandoned looking hangar. An explosion knocking Stormtroopers in a starship hangar bay.
“Kylo Ren in a white room looking at the Vader helmet. Rey, Finn, Poe in Falcon cockpit.
“Lando briefly. Rey with Chewie’s bowcastet. Finn in some abandoned looking ship interior.
“So @dizparks just reminded me that we saw a marketplace (?) scene with Rey walking through and some aliens.”
Episode 9 wrapped last month and is still without an officially announced title.
Star Wars Celebration – poised to take place in mid-April – should shine new light on what is ahead.
Star Wars 9 is out on December 19.