Rumors that Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o was in talks with director J.J. Abrams regarding a role in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII film kicked off back in March. Now, the 12 Years A Slave actress is an official member of the cast and joins Game Of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie.
The news came from Stars Wars official news page, confirming what fans were hoping when word of the talks between Nyong’o and Abrams began swirling about. The addition of Christie, who plays beloved character and loyal knight Brienne of Tarth on HBO’s hit fantasy show, was an unexpected but welcome bonus.
From StarWars.com:
Lupita Nyong’o joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12 Years a Slave earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
“I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”
Original Star Wars cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker will also appear in the upcoming film as well along with new cast members John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.
Star Wars: Episode VII will be released worldwide on December 18, 2015.
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Photo: C.Smith/ WENN
