We don’t have a ton of details about the upcoming Star Wars film – not even an official name yet. But another piece of the casting puzzle is reportedly being filled. Variety reports that Keri Russell is in talks to join the production, and she would be cast in an role with “action-heavy fight scenes.”
Star Wars: Episode IX is being directed by J.J. Abrams, who took over the role after Colin Trevorrow stepped away from the project due to creative differences. Abrams and Russell previously worked together on the television show Felicity and on 2006’s Mission: Impossible III.
Russell’s more recent work includes films like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and a starring role on the critically-acclaimed FX drama The Americans. She has more than proven that she can handle an action-heavy role in the Star Wars universe.
Other than that small detail, nothing is known about what role Russell would play. She would join returning cast members like Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, and John Boyega in a galaxy far, far away, but we’ll have to wait and see which side of the galactic war she would be supporting.
The most recent Star Wars films have seen some tumultuous releases. The Last Jedi performed well critically and commercially, but has also served as a lightning rod for controversy surrounding toxic fandom. Kelly Marie Tran, who played the character Rose, left her social media accounts due to the harassment she received on the platforms. More recently, Solo: A Star Wars Story underperformed at the box office, and caused Disney to postpone (but not completely cancel, as had been rumored) other planned Star Wars character-specific spinoffs.
Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled to release on December 20, 2019. We will have more information on the film, including Keri Russell’s role in it, as they become available. Stay tuned.