'Star Wars Episode VII' cast announced: Who's in the movie?
After months of secrecy and rumors, the cast for the new “Star Wars” film, the seventh film in the franchise, has been revealed.
Original “Star Wars” actors Mark Hamill, who portrayed Jedi knight Luke Skywalker; Carrie Fisher, who played feisty princess Leia Organa; and Harrison Ford, who was the wisecracking smuggler Han Solo, are returning for the movie, according to Disney and Lucasfilm.
In addition, actor Peter Mayhew, who portrayed Han Solo’s Wookiee sidekick Chewbacca, and actors Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker, who were behind the droids C-3PO and R2-D2, are coming back for the film.
The best-known actors who will play the new faces in a galaxy far, far away are “Girls” actor Adam Driver, who it had already been reported would be the main villain of the film; Andy Serkis, who became famous for portraying the creature Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” movies through motion-capture technology; and well-known actor Max von Sydow of “The Exorcist,” among many other films.
In addition, actors Domhnall Gleeson of “About Time” and Oscar Isaac, who starred in last year’s film “Inside Llewyn Davis,” have joined the cast. Also on board are “Imperial Dreams” actor John Boyega (he’s also appearing in Fox’s upcoming series “24: Live Another Day”) and Daisy Ridley, who has appeared in such TV shows as “Mr. Selfridge.”
Of course, Disney and Lucasfilm are staying mum on what roles, exactly, all these actors will be taking on.
“We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII," director J.J. Abrams said in a statement. "It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."
The seventh “Star Wars” film is set to be released on Dec. 18, 2015.
