‘Star Wars’ fan Dominic Monaghan has been cast in ‘Star Wars – Episode IX’, which is currently filming, with ‘The Force Awakens’‘ J.J. Abrams behind the camera. Abrams directed Monaghan in the pilot episode of ‘Lost’, which Abrams also executive produced. Monaghan won’t be the only former Abrams collaborator to show up in this movie, as Keri Russell, who starred on Abrams’ ‘Felicity’ and ‘Mission: Impossible III’. And Greg Grunberg— also from ‘Felicity’ and the ‘Lost’ pilot– is in almost everything Abrams directs. He’ll reprise his role as Resistance X-Wing pilot Snap Wexley. (It pays to be the director’s BFF.)
Monaghan reportedly approached Abrams about appearing in ‘The Force Awakens’, but Abrams told him he was assembling an all new cast of mostly-unknowns as a tribute to ‘A New Hope’. But with Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac firmly established in their ‘Star Wars’ roles, the appearance by a more recognizable actor doesn’t steal anything away from them. Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant have also been added to the cast. The identities of the characters that Monaghan, Russell, Ackie and Grant will be playing are under wraps. (Grant dispelled the rumor that he was playing Grand Admiral Thrawn, a villain from extended universe books, who was also used on the ‘Star Wars: Rebels’ animated series.)
The new movie also welcomes back Anthony Daniels, Domhnall Gleeson, Mark Hamill, Billie Lourd, Lupita Nyong’o, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Jimmy Vee, and Billy Dee Williams. The film will also incorporate unused footage of Carrie Fisher, filmed by Abrams for ‘The Force Awakens’.
As for Monaghan, other than ‘Lost’, he may be best known for playing Merry Brandybuck in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies. ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ will be the first major blockbuster that he has appeared in since then. Monaghan was last seen in Duncan Jones’ sci-fi thriller ‘Mute’ which premiered on Netflix earlier this year.
‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ is slated to be released on December 20, 2019.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
