“Star Wars: Episode VII” Cast Announced

Highly-anticipated news from the "Star Wars" universe has finally landed - Luscasfilm announced the cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII."

As with past episodes set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the list is made up of many up-and-coming Hollywood names and established members of the international acting community.

"Girls" breakout star Adam Driver made the cut, as did Oscar Isaac of "Inside Llewyn Davis" fame. British actors John Boyega and Daisy Ridley head-up the list with Boyega next appearing on screens in the TV mini-series "24: Live Another Day" with Kiefer Sutherland. Ridley previously featured in "Mr. Selfridge" on PBS' Masterpiece Classics.

In a release posted on the "Star Wars" website Tuesday, the following names were revealed as starring in the as-yet-unnamed next installment of the franchise: Boyega, Ridley, Driver, Isaac, Andy Serkis ("The Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" trilogies), Domhnall Gleeson ("About Time"), and Max von Sydow ("Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close").

They will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) in the new film. Fisher, Ford and Hamill were spotted this week in London ahead of principal photography beginning on the project.

No information was forthcoming regarding character names for the new castmembers or how each actor's role will fit into the storyline.

"We are so excited to finally share the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII.'" said director J.J. Abrams. "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."

During the company's recent annual shareholder meeting, Walt Disney CEO Robert A. Iger revealed that "Episode VII" will be set 30 years after "Return of the Jedi," the third film of the original trilogy.

An image showing the castmembers (both new and returning) sitting in a circle and reading scripts with director Abrams was also posted alongside the release, see below:

The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

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Photo: David James/StarWars.com

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