Recently, an unexpected casting call has been opened for the new, IX episode of the mega-popular Star Wars series, which will feature veterans of the series as well as new faces that have not appeared before.
As announced by the BBC, among them will be the late actress Carrie Fisher, as it is reported that her footage, which did not make it into the sequel Star Wars: The Force Awakens, will be used in IX episode.
The star, who played Princess Leia in the series, passed away unexpectedly in 2016.
Billy Dee Williams (81) will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian, and he will be joined by Richard E. Grant.
“We absolutely love Carrie Fisher,” said director JJ Abrams, adding that the team was driven crazy by the fact that the Skywalker saga could end without her.
“We found a way to honor her legacy and Leia’s role in IX episode using footage we shot for VII episode,” he said.
Mark Hamill, who was catapulted into film orbit with his role in the first episode of Star Wars in 1977, returns as Luke Skywalker.
He will also be joined by series veteran Anthony Daniels, who plays the translator droid C-3PO and is the only actor to appear in all films of this franchise.
British actress Naomi Ackie, who starred in the 2017 film Lady Macbeth, will also join the set, though currently in an unnamed role.
Many names familiar to fans of the previous installment of the Star Wars series – The Last Jedi, will also appear, such as Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, and Domhnall Gleeson.
The Last Jedi achieved great success, grossing over $450 million from ticket sales right at the beginning of its release during the weekend in December.
The new, IX episode of Star Wars does not yet have a title, and preparations for filming begin on Wednesday in London. The film is expected to be released in December 2019.
