When J.J. Abrams was continuing the Star Wars saga for Disney with The Force Awakens, he cast a bunch of relative unknowns to play the lead characters. This is what George Lucas did when he was casting the first Star Wars trilogy, so why not follow suit with the new one? It certainly wasn’t the only thing Abrams borrowed from Lucas’ technique.
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Of course, the actors aren’t unknowns anymore. As soon as the trilogy ends later this year, they’ll be released into the world as giant movie stars. So, here are 9 Projects The Star Wars Cast Are Signed On To Make After The Sequel Trilogy Ends.
Daisy Ridley – Chaos Walking
Chaos Walking is a YA novel adaptation directed by Doug Liman, the man behind The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow, from a script by six guys including the great Charlie Kaufman. Daisy Ridley is signed on to star alongside Tom Holland and Mads Mikkelsen after she’s done playing Rey.
The movie is set in a dystopian future where the kids are told that all women have been killed by a virus and everyone’s thoughts and feelings are projected as sounds and images called “Noise.” The story sees Holland find some silence and discover – dun, dun, dun! – a woman living there, played by Ridley.
Oscar Isaac – Dune
We’re all acutely aware that the last time Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi novel Dune was adapted for the big screen, it was not a resounding success. However, this new adaptation, set for a 2020 release, is being directed by Denis Villeneuve, who is quite possibly the greatest director working today.
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He certainly has a strong track record, both in science fiction – Blade Runner 2049, Arrival – and in regular cinema – Sicario, Prisoners – so we should be in good hands. Oscar Isaac joins a cast that includes Timothée Chalamet, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson – the list goes on, but suffice to say, it’s star-studded.
Adam Driver – The Dead Don’t Die
Having just been nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in BlacKkKlansman, Adam Driver’s career isn’t going anywhere. He was doing just fine before the role of Kylo Ren came along and he’ll be just fine after it’s gone. He’s reteaming with Jim Jarmusch, who previously directed him in Paterson, the story of a bus driver who writes beautiful poetry, for a zombie comedy called The Dead Don’t Die.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but the cast includes Daniel Craig, Rosie Perez, Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez, Danny Glover, and Bill Murray, who says the script is “so hilarious.”
Harrison Ford – Indiana Jones 5
We haven’t seen Harrison Ford in the Star Wars sequel trilogy since Han Solo was killed by his own son in The Force Awakens, but his presence was felt throughout The Last Jedi as Chewbacca mourned his loss, Rey took his teachings on board – and it’s impossible to look at the Millennium Falcon without thinking of Han, no matter who’s flying it.
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After reviving one George Lucas character for Disney, Ford will be bringing Indiana Jones back to the silver screen with the fifth installment of his pulpy adventures. Steven Spielberg is back directing and Lucas will return as executive producer.
Domhnall Gleeson – Run
Once he’s done playing the irritating villain General Hux in the Star Wars saga, Domhnall Gleeson will be turning his attention to television with a pilot called Run at HBO. The show is described as a blend of romantic comedy and thriller as a wealthy life guru (Gleeson) sends his old flame a text that brings up a childhood pact and changes her life completely.
The script for the pilot has been written by Vicky Jones, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge – a.k.a. Lando’s droid lover from Solo: A Star Wars Story – will act as an executive producer on the show and also play a supporting role.
Gwendoline Christie – The Personal History of David Copperfield
Armando Iannucci, best known for creating Veep and directing The Death of Stalin, is helming this big-screen take on the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield. The incredible ensemble cast of the film includes both great Brit talents – Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Ben Whishaw – and international stars – Dev Patel (who plays the title character), and Benedict Wong.
Following the supposed demise of her character Captain Phasma in The Last Jedi, Gwendoline Christie has signed on to appear in this movie as Jane Murdstone. The sweeping, epic movie will follow the David Copperfield character through his entire life, from his childhood well into his old age.
Mark Hamill – Invincible
Ever since the TV adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead became the highest rated show on television, every producer out there has been poring through his back catalogue looking for the next big hit. Cinemax has already adapted the exorcism horror comic Outcast for the small screen and aired two seasons of the show.
Next on the agenda is this animated adaptation of Kirkman’s twist on the superhero genre, Invincible. The show will star Steven Yeun, who played Glenn on The Walking Dead, while the supporting cast will include Seth Rogen, Walton Goggins, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, Zazie Beetz, and of course, Mark Hamill.
Lupita Nyong’o – 355
Simon Kinberg, who’s about to make his directorial debut with the latest X-Men movie, Dark Phoenix, is already in pre-production on his next movie, a spy thriller called 355. The movie will see a racially diverse cast of kick-ass women – Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Bingbing Fan, Marion Cotillard, and Maz Kanata herself, Lupita Nyong’o – embroiled in a classic espionage plot. Picture Atomic Blonde multiplied by five.
The screenplay is being written by Theresa Rebeck, which finally solves the problem of female action stories like Wonder Woman and Atomic Blonde being written by men. Women can tell their own stories for once.
John Boyega – Hold Back the Stars
John Boyega and Letitia Wright are signed on to star in sci-fi romantic drama Hold Back the Stars, which seems to be more focused on the romance than the sci-fi. Based on the novel of the same name, it tells the story of a couple who are trapped in outer space with just an hour and a half of oxygen left and use the time to revisit memories of their relationship on Earth.
So, it’s a romantic story in a sci-fi setting, with a focus on humanity that isn’t often seen in big-budget cinema. It sounds like a real tearjerker – The Fault in Our Stars set literally among the stars.
