Star Wars: Episode IX starts filming in London on August 1, 2018. Director J.J. Abrams steps in for Rian Johnson to wrap up the third trilogy set in a galaxy far far away. Returning with him are cast members Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, and space princess Carrie Fisher.
Meet the cast of Star Wars: Episode IX. Beginning filming next week.https://t.co/BUCl4H8aRT pic.twitter.com/ezEaLzijLq
— Star Wars (@starwars) July 27, 2018
Hamill’s return to the universe is not too surprising. Luke Skywalker did fade away into the Force at the end of The Last Jedi, but he could appear as a Force Ghost the same way Yoda showed up for a brief moment in Episode VIII.
Leia Organa will be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, according to Abrams.
We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” says Abrams. “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.”
The man behind the music, John Williams, will return as composer for Star Wars: Episode IX. He’s been the maestro for the Star Wars saga since the release of A New Hope in 1977.
Other returning cast members include John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Anthony Daniels (C3PO) and Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix) are back in Episode IX as well. Bill Dee Williams will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.
No word on if Harrison Ford will return as scruffy looking nerfherder Han Solo.
The untitled Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan.
Star Wars: Episode IX is set to hit theaters December 2019.