After months of fan speculation, internet teases, and plenty of finger crossing, Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm have finally announced the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII!
John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow are the newcomers and will be joined by Star Wars veterans Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker, whom fans can expect to reprise their original roles.
J.J. Abrams, who will be helming the return to a galaxy far, far away makes the statement:
“We are so excited to finally share the cast of ‘Star Wars: Episode VII.’ It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”
While many may still be a bit wary of Abrams’ handling of their beloved franchise, this new trilogy is already shaping up to be much better than the prequels that disappointed fans years ago. Recruiting the key members of the original cast, drafting Lawrence Kasdan (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back) to co-write the screenplay, and bringing John Williams back to score the new film all definitely seem like steps in the right direction. Audiences will have to wait until the December 18, 2015 release date to find out if all of these wonderful pieces will make up a fantastic bigger picture.
