Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o Joins Cast of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

Lupita Nyong’o is headed to a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

The Oscar winning actress has joined the 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.

StarWars.com also announced that 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.

Visit StarWars.com and www.facebook.com/starwars for the latest news on the film.