Fisher, Hamill Round Out Episode IX Cast

Wednesday begins principle photography of Star Wars: Episode IX to conclude the current trilogy of stories. Ahead of that Disney announced the cast of the film. The key surprise castings is Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa). The former didn't survive the end of the movie while the latter tragically died unexpectedly. While probable Luke will appear as a force ghost, the return of Leia is less obvious.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” director J.J. Abrams said in announcing the news on StarWars.com. “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 [Lourd], 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 use of previous footage was also approved by her brother Todd with Hamill tweeting "It’s bittersweet facing my final chapter without her-She is simply irreplaceable. I’m finding solace in the fact that she won’t BE replaced & would love the worldwide outpouring of affection from those who loved her when they heard the news."

Joining the pair will be returning cast members Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong'o (Maz Kanata), Domhall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO). New cast members (so far) are Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Naomi Ackie (role unknown), and Richard E Grant (role unknown).