Variety broke the news last night (August 28) that Matt Smith has been cast in a “key role” in Star Wars: Episode IX, meaning we might finally be about to find out which is best: a sonic screwdriver or a light saber.
Needless to say, the news has got fans of both universes very excited indeed, including some pretty famous names:
My reaction seeing the Matt Smith casting news/ rumors for Star Wars: pic.twitter.com/x3905TgiR1
— Ventress87 (@Ventress87) August 28, 2018
Great news. Matt Smith is a terrific actor and a hard worker. https://t.co/e35bfXJeyn
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) August 28, 2018
me : hasn't even seen all the star wars films
matt smith : joins star wars
me : I LOVE STAR WARS SO MUCH WOAH AMAZING— marion (@ohmogo) August 28, 2018
This is the coolest and greatest news! Matt is incredible in everything he does. x https://t.co/YJ4CvwaWs7
— James Corden (@JKCorden) August 28, 2018
Matt will join the returning cast of Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Billie Lourd, and Mark Hamill, as well as Star Wars veterans Billy Dee Williams, who’ll reprise his role of Lando Calrissian, and Carrie Fisher, whose character General Leia will appear in the film in some form, despite her untimely death in 2016.
The names of other recently announced new cast members had already sent fans into a spin wondering which characters they’ll play and how they’ll slot into the saga. They include Richard E. Grant, who we hope will be stumbling across the galaxy in search of “the finest wines available to humanity,” Withnail & I style; Dominic Monaghan, who reunites with his Lost director J.J. Abrams; Keri Russell (The Americans), and newcomer Naomi Ackie, who popped up in Doctor Who episode “Face the Raven.”
But Matt coming onboard is the most surprising casting news yet. Just who he’ll play is unclear, though this hasn’t stopped fans hazarding guesses — from an imperious baddie to some kind of evil, plunger-armed droid or a quirky Jedi (hey, we think those robes could take a bowtie).
Oh so Matt Smith is joining Star Wars IX…
Please be a bad guy…
Please be a bad guy…
Please be a bad guy…
That's cool.— Jason Mxyzptlk (@unkiejayjay) August 28, 2018
I have my own theories about Matt Smith & Dominic Monaghan. (Though I'm likely wrong.) pic.twitter.com/dTGOyA2LAI
— Shawn Madden (@shawnxmadden) August 28, 2018
MATT SMITH WOULD BE A GREAT SASSY PROTOCOL DROID
— 𝓉𝒶𝓂𝓂𝓎 (@benscalligraphy) August 28, 2018
I think Richard E Grant and Matt Smith are almost certainly going to be First Order Officers.
Dominic Monaghan however, I think may play some kind of chaotic neutral; a mechanic or trader with a tendency to blow things up. Maybe a bit of a demolitions expert.
— Phil Shepherd
(@TheAsgardian) August 28, 2018
(@TheAsgardian) I don't know who he's playing in STAR WARS, but Matt Smith SCREAMS "snivelling Imperial Officer" and I hope that he's basically like Hux's subordinate on whom Hux takes out all his Kylo Ren aggression
— Andrew Todd (@mistertodd) August 28, 2018
Is it too early to call him MATT SITH? #StarWars https://t.co/Dwch7czqEP pic.twitter.com/VnOG2fGK1W
— Sarah Doran (@sarahisnothere) August 28, 2018
Production on the final Star Wars installment is currently underway in England, with a view to it being released just before Christmas 2019. The whole Star Wars ennealogy (that’s a series of nine films, word fans) is set to wrap up with this movie, meaning the rebels will for the final time meet — and presumably overcome — the evil empire.
Let’s just say there are a lot of loose threads to tie up in one film, so it would make sense if a certain police box appeared out of nowhere at the end.
Matt Smith/The Doctor goes back in time, shows Anakin Skywalker what he will become, Anakin never becomes Vader, all the Stars Wars movies are unmade, the end. pic.twitter.com/6yldTKT3ST
— The Studio Exec (@studioexec1) August 28, 2018
Do you think Matt will feel the force or go to the dark side?