‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ cast revealed for final installment of Skywalker saga

Take a deep breath, Star Wars fans: “Star Wars: Episode IX” will begin filming on Aug. 1 at London’s Pinewood Studios. Today, the cast lineup was revealed for the film, with a few surprises in who’s returning.

Returning cast includes Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast of “Episode IX” are Richard E. Grant, Kerri Russell and Naomi Ackie.

Veteran “Star Wars” actors returning include Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as the beloved scoundrel, Lando Calrissian.

The role of General Leia Organa will be played once again by Carrie Fisher, through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said J.J. Abrams, director of “Episode IX.” “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.’”

Legendary composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the “Star Wars” saga since “A New Hope” in 1977, will return to score the final film in the Skywalker saga.

“Star Wars: Episode IX” will hit theaters in December 2019. To learn more, visit StarWars.com.