Actress Keri Russell is in talks with Lucasfilm to join the cast ofStar Wars 9, according to a new report. Director J.J. Abrams andKeri Russellhave worked together numerous times over the years, with the last time being on 2006’sMission: Impossible III. The production forStar Wars 9is scheduled to begin at the end of this month, so it seems logical that more casting news will be announced in the coming weeks. Abrams is back on board after helming 2015’sThe Force Awakens.
Variety reports that Lucasfilm and J.J. Abrams have been meeting with several actresses over the last few months, but it’s believed that theStar Wars 9role was given to Keri Russell earlier this week. The report goes on to say that Russell’s role calls for “action-heavy fight scenes,” which the actress has plenty of experience in thanks toThe Americans,Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, andMission: Impossible. It is unclear if Russell’s character will be fighting for the Resistance or the First Order. That being said, theResistance is in need of some allies, so it seems like a safe bet that Russell will be fighting alongside Rey, Poe, and Finn.
Variety’s report also indicates that J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm are looking to add two more major stars before production onStar Wars 9begins later this month. Keri Russell will join Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and more in the final installment of the newStar Warstrilogy. Abrams joined the project back in September of 2017 after Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow had parted ways. The director promises that he will not “play it safe” withStar Wars 9.
In otherStar Wars 9news, it was recently reported that the sequel could return to Yavin IV after news leaked that the production was heading to the Cardington Airship Sheds in England whereA New HopeandRogue Onehave filmed previously. It would make sense to see a return to one of the original sites of the Rebels fromA New Hope, especially since Oscar Isaacs' Poe Dameron is from the planet. It has yet to be confirmed, but we should be able to tell once production is underway. Keri Russell’s character couldend up on Yavin IVto fight with the Resistance against the First Order.
While Keri Russell’sStar Wars 9role is a mystery at the moment, we should get some intel in the coming weeks when production begins. The last installment in the new trilogy hits theaters on July 10, 2025 and it’s currently the onlyStar Warsfilm with an official release date. The controversy surrounding Rian Johnson’sThe Last Jediand the box office shortcomings ofSolo: A Star Wars Storycertainly put the new production in an interesting place that is uncharted territory for theStar Warsfranchise. You can read more about Keri Russell joining the cast ofStar Wars 9over atVariety.
