‘Star Wars: Episode IX’: Keri Russell to join ahead of filming

Keri Russell. Image: AFP/Tara Ziemba via AFP Relaxnews

Already established through her roles in “The Americans,” “Mission Impossible III” and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”, United States actress Keri Russell has begun talks with Lucasfilm over a role in “Star Wars: Episode IX”.

According to Variety, the role involves “action-heavy fight scenes,” though little else is known about it.

Two other actors are expected to join before filming begins at the end of July, while Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver are to reprise their roles from 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”.

Original trilogy actress Carrie Fisher passed away after filming wrapped on “The Last Jedi” and Mark Hamill is understood to have left the franchise after his appearance in that film.

This third film in Disney’s first “Star Wars” trilogy also sees J. J. Abrams back in the director’s chair, after helming “The Force Awakens”. Colin Trevorrow of “Jurassic World” had previously taken the job but parted ways with Lucasfilm late on in 2017.

Russell won a Golden Globe for her breakthrough role as the lead character in 1998 to 2002 series “Felicity”, co-created by Abrams, and went on to feature in “Mission Impossible III”, which he also directed.

“Star Wars: Episode IX” has been announced for release in U.S. theaters on Dec. 20, 2019 and, as with previous movies in Disney’s “Star Wars” run, is to begin its international roll-out that same week. JB

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