‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Cast Announced!

The main cast of Star Wars: Episode IX has been officially announced by LucasFilm, officially confirming Billy Dee Williams will be returning as Lando Calrissian, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker (‘s force ghost?), and announcing that Princess Leia will continue to be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage.

The other returning cast members include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Anthony Daniels, and Billie Lourd. And newcomers joining the cast of Episode IX are Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, and Keri Russell.

Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming on August 1, 2018 with J.J. Abrams returning to direct, with a release date scheduled for December 2019.