Back in late July, Star Wars: Episode IX delivered an announcement revealing what appeared to be the full cast for the blockbuster - featuring both expected names, and a few new ones. Since then, however, the project has continued to add actors to its roster, and today we have word that yet another talented performer has come on-board. According to a new report, Doctor Who star Matt Smith is now set to play a part in the new J.J. Abrams-directed chapter of the legendary sci-fi saga.
Variety is reporting the news of the casting, but sadly doesn't seem to have much info about his character - including whether or not he will be on the side of the heroes or the villains. This really isn't too surprising, however, given the level of secrecy that surrounds the project. Matt Smith is one of a few new names that are joining the Star Wars franchise for the trilogy-capper, as it's been previously said that Star Wars: Episode IX will include Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, and Naomi Ackie. Those set to reprise their roles from previous installments include include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd, as well as Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams. The movie will also be repurposing footage of Carrie Fisher from Star Wars: The Force Awakens will also be repurposed so that Princess/General Leia Organa will have a role to play.
As mentioned above, Matt Smith is definitely no stranger to the science-fiction genre, as he was the actor picked to succeed David Tennant as The Doctor on the BBC's long-running series Doctor Who. He played the part from 2010 to 2014 - when he was replaced by Peter Capaldi - but that didn't bring his work with narrative timey-wimey stuff to an end. He also had a key supporting role in Alan Taylor's Terminator Genisys, playing essentially the manifestation of Skynet, but that didn't go super well.
Star Wars: Episode IX, which does not yet have an official title, is currently in production, and as of right now we really don't know what it will be about. At the end of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Resistance was barely surviving - rescued by Rey with her blossoming Jedi powers - and Kylo Ren had replaced Supreme Leader Snoke as the leader of the First Order. It's even unclear right now exactly where the story will pick up, as Rian Johnson's film notably began right where Star Wars: The Force Awakens left off. Sadly, that information probably won't be known for at least a few more months. We are persistently hungry for new updates about the upcoming chapter, however, so keep checking in with us for all the latest news.
