It turns out those rumors weren’t rumors after all. Lupita Nyong’o has joined the cast of “Star Wars: Episode VII.”
After much speculation that the Oscar winner for “12 Years a Slave” would be climbing aboard the beloved franchise, it appeared those hopes were futile once a cast photo didn’t include the rising star.
But Disney and Lucasfilm announced her addition Monday, as well as that of “Game of Thrones” star Gwendoline Christie.
“I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII,” Lucasfilm president and Episode VII producer Kathleen Kennedy’s statement says. “It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.”
This comes the same day that TMZ obtained 45 photos from the Abu Dhabi set of the film.
All eyes have been on what Nyong’o’s next move would be after she seemed to be taking her time to choose a follow-up to the Academy Award-winning turn (save for her already-filmed, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it part in “Non-Stop”). She’s now attached to Disney’s upcoming live-action version of “The Jungle Book.” Christie, on the other hand, will next be seen in the final two “Hunger Games” films.
There’s no word yet on whom either starlet will be playing in “Star Wars: Episode VII,” but we’re sure to find out well before the flick hits theaters Dec. 18, 2015.