The cast of Star Wars Episode IX has been revealed, and it includes more than a few familiar faces. Returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd. New cast members include Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell, with Star Wars veterans Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian.
The biggest announcement was that the late Carrie Fisher will return to portray General Leia Organa using previously unreleased footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Director J.J. Abrams stated ““We desperately loved Carrie Fisher. 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.”
We knew Billy Dee was returning, and obviously Daniels would be back, but it’s been assumed that Hamill would return for the final Skywalker installment, at the very least in Ghost Jedi form. It was also announced that John Williams will return to score the film, though it will likely be his last.
Star Wars Episode IX is scheduled to be released December 2019.