STAR WARS EPISODE IX Cast Announced; Leia Will Return Using Unreleased Footage

Filming on Star Wars Episode IX is set to begin on Wednesday, August 1st. Today, Lucasfilm confirmed the full cast for the film, which has been called the final installment of the Skywalker saga.

Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), and Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix) reprise their roles from the last two films.

Additionally, Mark Hamill will return once more as Luke Skywalker, with Anthony Daniels playing C-3PO again. And, as previously reported, Billy Dee Williams will reprise the role of Lando Calrissian.

As for new characters, Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell have officially joined the cast. No word on who they are playing just yet. Russell was first reported to be in talks for a role earlier this month.

Most significantly, the late Carrie Fisher‘s Leia Organa will return after all. Director J.J. Abrams confirms that unseen footage of Leia from The Force Awakens will be used for 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.”

Stay tuned for more news as we have it. Star Wars Episode IX hits theaters on December 20th, 2019.