Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie Join The Cast For ‘Star Wars 7′
Gwendoline Christie, confirmed for ‘Star Wars 7′
It seems that the Star Wars hype train stops for no one, as two more stars have been confirmed to appear for director J.J. Abrams for the vaunted return to that galaxy far, far away.
Recent Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o and Game Of Thrones‘ star Gwendoline Christie have joined the cast for Episode VII, although there are no details as yet on character specifics. Says Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy, “it’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”
This news follows in the wake of the initial casting bomb that dropped last month (along with that stellar black-and-white), and is sure to come as a welcome relief to those who felt that the roster was leaning a little heavy on the testosterone (with British actress and relative unknown Daisy Ridley the only female star to be announced).
Nyong’o, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar earlier this year for her heart-wrenching turn in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave, is rapidly rising among the Hollywood ranks. As well as Star Wars, she will also be seen (well, heard) in Walt Disney Studios’ update of Rudyard Kipling’s classic adventure The Jungle Book, along with a rumoured role in Antoine Fuqua’s (Training Day) new boxing drama Southpaw.
Already a fan-favourite on HBO’s hyperbolic fantasy saga Game Of Thrones – where she plays toughnut Brienne of Tarth – the British-born Christie is also on the up, with an appearance in YA sequels The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 of which is due for release later this year.
So, to round-up the current standings of what is sure to be an ever-expanding cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, and the aforementioned Daisy Ridley, along with Max Von Sydow, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and John Boyega, as well as returning stalwarts Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels AND Peter Mayhew, all confirmed to appear in Episode VII. Phew!
Star Wars: Episode VII is currently shooting, for a worldwide release of December 18, 2015. Make sure to keep your eyes on Focus Film for all the latest Star Wars tidbits!
