Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o and ‘Game of Thrones’ Star Gwendoline Christie Join ‘Cast of Star Wars: Episode VII’

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Exciting update for the new Star Wars movie! It has been announced that Episode VII has cast Lupita Nyong’o, winner of this year’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar, as well as Gwendoline Christie, a fan favorite Game of Thrones cast member. It is unknown which roles the two impressive actresses will play, but this is more casting news from an already thrilling line up of actors and actresses signed on to join the legendary Star Wars series. The earlier casting announcing was light on actresses so news of these recent additions is both exciting as well as necessary.

The cast is already beyond-impressive for the J.J. Abrams-produced-and-directed film. Nyong’o and Christie join original trilogy stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO.) New cast additions that have already been revealed include Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Adam Driver (Girls), performance-capture superstar Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), newcomer Daisy Ridleyand the iconic The Exorcist actor Max von Sydow.

Nyong’o, 31, is a graduate of Yale’s drama school and, shortly after graduating, made her breakthrough last year in 12 Years a Slave. She starred as Patsy, the strong-willed but agonizingly abused slave who develops a bond with the movie’s main character, Solomon Northup. Ever since receiving the Oscar, the industry and fans everywhere have been wondering what would be Nyong’o’s next big role. Many industry-watchers have speculated that the film business might not figure out a way to utilize the actress. News of the Star Wars casting will hopefully put these rumors to rest and inspire other movie-makers to find roles for this shining star.

A Games of Thrones standout, Christie is another inspired casting choice for Episode VII. The 6-foot-3 British actress, 34, steals scenes as the unlikely female knight Brienne of Tarth. Brienne is a worthy opponent to any man in the GoT universe and is a beloved character due to her fortitude, calm demeanor, and heroic behavior. Diehard devotees of the George R. R. Martin’s books reportedly felt that Christie was too beautiful for the role, as Brienne is described as being unattractive in the novels. Christie told Entertainment Weekly, “All my life, all I’ve ever wanted is for people to say — first of all — I’m pretty. But ‘too pretty’? Is amazing.”

Christie is on a role, as she is also cast in another iconic franchise. She will co-star in the upcoming The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 film as Commander Lyme, a role being played in Part 1 by American Horror Story‘s Lily Rabe.

Star Wars: Episode VII is shooting now and plans for a December 18, 2015 release.

(Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.com)

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