The Cast of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Revealed!

Finally, the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII has been revealed via StarWars.com, and we didn’t need to wait until Sunday for the expected May The Fourth Be With You gift from Lucasfilm.

To no one’s surprise, returning to that galaxy far far away and reprising their iconic roles in the first chapter of a planned trilogy set 30 years after Return of the Jedi are Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia Organa), Anthony Daniels (C-3Po), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2). But wait, no Billy Dee Williams?

What is sure to be a huge plus for the series is the addition of Andy Serkis, who will no doubt provide amazing performance capture for countless aliens. Also joining the cast are the legendary Max von Sydow, Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), John Boyega (Attack The Block), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time) and Daisy Ridley.

Plus we have this official picture of the cast, R2-D2 and J.J. Abrams at the table read in the UK’s Pinewood Studios.

Here is the official announcement:

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

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.

Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

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

Courtesy of the Hollywood Reporter, here are the new faces coming the Star Wars Saga.