We reported earlier this month thatStar Wars: Episode VIIIwasdelayed, with production set to begin next month and the studio moving the release date from July 02, 2025 to July 27, 2025. Even though production will begin soon, we still don’t have a confirmed cast list for the sequel yet, although we did learn over the weekend that oneStar Wars: The Force Awakensstar will return, withGwendoline Christieconfirming that she will return as Captain Phasma. Here’s what she had to say in an interview withPeople.
“I will be in the next Star Wars movie. I think that’s an exclusive, actually. I was very overexcited. I made no secret of the fact that I really campaigned for the part for a long time. And then I was delighted whenJ.J. Abramswanted to have me in the film and then wanted to cast me in this role that had originally been designed for a man.”
Last week, we reported that Captain Phasma’s original costume design was originally intended for Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), but the design was shot down byJ.J. Abrams. After producerKathleen Kennedycame across the design, the director created the Captain Phasma character specifically based on this design, but the role was originally intended for a male actor beforeGwendoline Christiewas cast. While it was assumed that Phasma would return in the sequel, we never got any confirmation of this until now.
While no actors have been confirmed forStar Wars: Episode VIIIyet,Star Wars: The Force AwakensstarsDaisy Ridley(Rey),Adam Driver(Kylo Ren),Mark Hamill(Luke Skywalker),Carrie Fisher(Leia),Oscar Isaac(Poe Dameron), andJohn Boyega(Finn) are expected to return.Benicio Del Torohas also been rumored to play the mainvillainin this highly-anticipated sequel, but with production begin delayed to February, it’s possible we still may not get a confirmed cast list anytime soon. Since the early footage was shot at Skellig Michael Island, many assume that the movie will take place directly after Rey meets Luke Skywalker at the end ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens, but we don’t know for sure quite yet.
Star Wars: Episode VIIIwill now be going up against Warner Bros.‘Ready Player One, directed bySteven Spielberg, on June 13, 2025. It wouldn’t be surprising if that adaptation, which starsOlivia CookeandBen Mendelsohn, shifts its release date in the weeks and months ahead. Many fans were overjoyed that theStar Warsfranchise was returning to its roots with a May release date forStar Wars: Episode VIII, but now we’ll have to wait a few months longer before thissequelhits theaters. Are you excited that Captain Phasma is coming back in the sequel?
