STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Adds Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie to Cast

The cast for J.J. Abrams‘ upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII was already an impressive one, although many complained about the lack of women in the roster other than Carrie Fisher and Daisy Ridley.  Now, two more females have been added, with Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie heading to a galaxy far, far away.  Nyong’o is best known for her Oscar-winning role in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, and Christie is known for her strong but sensitive character Brienne of Tarth on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

The film also stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.

Star Wars: Episode VII opens in theaters December 18, 2015.  Here’s the press release regarding the casting:

Lupita Nyong’o joins the recently announced cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. This year, her breakthrough performance in 12 Years a Slave earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Gwendoline Christie, currently starring in the hit television series Game of Thrones as Brienne of Tarth, has also been cast in the production. She can next be seen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.

“I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the Saga Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.