‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Cast: New And Old Faces Join ‘Rise Of Skywalker’

Anticipation for Disney’s upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX” adventure ratchets to an all-time high. Disney adds fuel to the fire with even more promotional artwork in the form of some rather revealing photos. Showcased via Empire, the new posters are only a mere glimpse at the upcoming movie, the end of the Skywalker saga.

Evidenced by recently released character posters, “Episode IX” introduces fans to new and old "Star Wars" characters. Like many adventures before it, a new roller droid has been added to the roster, called D-0. And, what with the big baddie Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) now gone, who better to fill her place than the stoic Allegiant General Pryde, father of General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), played by Richard E. Grant.

“Felicity” star, Keri Russell, enters the “Star Wars” lore as Zorri Bliss, a helmeted bounty hunter who has spent plenty of time on the new planet of Kijimi. In addition, Naomi Ackie joins the cast as Jannah, the potential daughter of Lando Calrissian.

Speaking of the space pirate, who was last seen in 2017’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” played by Donald Glover, Calrissian returns portrayed by the unforgettable Billy Dee Williams. And, despite her passing, Carrie Fisher will also be reprising her role as Leia Organa, which director J.J. Abrams spoke at length about.

In addition to the many new and old faces are “Star Wars” veterans, such as Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron, Daisy Ridley as the extremely Force-sensitive Rey, John Boyega portraying Finn, and the son of Han Solo, Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver.

With an already extensive setlist of characters to play with, “The Rise of Skywalker” still even boasts the return of Emperor Palatine, one of the most dangerous entities in the “Star Wars” pantheon. Many fans remain hopeful that either Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan or Hayden Christensen’s Anakin may also make their fated reprisals, and while leaks may point to a possibility, it still remains mere conjecture.

“The Rise of Skywalker” blasts into theaters Dec. 20.