The 61-year-old actor thanks casting director Nina Gold after being announced as part of the movie's cast.
- July 30, 2018
AceShowbiz - Richard E. Grant has graciously thanked a casting director after landing a role in "Star Wars: Episode IX".
Fans were thrilled when details of the cast were released on Friday, July 27, revealing the late Carrie Fisher, who portrayed the iconic Princess Leia Organa in the classic sci-fi franchise, will appear in the movie thanks to unused footage.
Richard, 61, will also appear in film alongside fellow new additions Keri Russell, and Naomi Ackie.
"I saw @starwars in 1977 when I was at Drama School. Being cast in the final instalment of the Skywalker trilogy in 2018, feels like an utterly out of body experience! #StarWars thank you #ninagold," he shared on Twitter on Friday, mentioning the movie's casting director Nina Gold.
I saw @starwars in 1977 when I was at Drama School. Being cast in the final instalment of the Skywalker trilogy in 2018, feels like an utterly out of body experience! #StarWarsâ â 💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫 thank you #ninagoldpic.twitter.com/ldJQNLFlsd
— Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) July 27, 2018
Bosses at Disney and Lucasfilm revealed in a statement on Friday that not only will Princess Leia be resurrected for the forthcoming "Episode IX", but Mark Hamill will be returning for the movie, despite his character Luke Skywalker seemingly dying at the end of "The Last Jedi".
Director J.J. Abrams, who is returning to the "Star Wars" fold after 2015's "The Force Awakens", said it was an obvious choice to use unused footage to bring Carrie to the screen once again.
"Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG (computer-generated) character," Abrams shared in a statement to Variety. "With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honour Carrie's legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII."
Billy Dee Williams, who played Lando Calrissian in the original trilogy, has also been invited back into the fold, alongside regular cast members Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, and Domhnall Gleeson.
