“I only know one truth: it’s time for the Jedi to end.” This is how the teaser ends and the anticipation begins. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will be coming out on December 15th, 2017. The movie continues from where “The Force Awakens” ended, our protagonist Rey eventually speaking to Luke Skywalker and, apparently, training with him. The film promises to be a little darker, grittier, and more focused on exploring the depths of its characters. Are you excited? I sure am. Let’s take a look at the teaser before talking about the actors and actresses involved in the production.
Trailer:
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Cast
1. Daisy Ridley - Rey
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Ray training to become a Jedi.
Daisy Ridley was born in Westminster, London. She appeared in minor television roles and short films before being cast as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Before her casting she was a total unknown in the industry. Rey is a scavenger from the desert planet Jakku. After joining the Resistance, she went out to search for Luke Skywalker. Very Force-sensitive, she has proven to have great skills in battle and as a pilot. We assume that she is currently training with Skywalker to become a Jedi.
2. John Boyega - Finn
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Finn fighting against Kylo Ren.
John Boyega was born in Peckham, South London, to Nigerian parents. He became well known in the United Kingdom for his role as Moses in the sci-fi film “Attack the Block”. Of course, he only achieved international fame after being cast as Finn in “The Force Awakens”. Finn served as a First Order stormtrooper, before he deserted to join the Resistance. He is named Finn by Resistance pilot Poe Dameron. In a lightsaber duel with the more experience Kylo Ren, he ends up seriously injured. The last we see him, he is in a coma and under treatment on the Millennium Falcon.
3. Adam Driver - Kylo Ren
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Kylo Ren preparing to fight against Rey and Finn.
Adam Driver was born in Fontana, San Bernardino County, California. He had a religious upbringing, but described himself as a misfit during his teenage years. He had his debut films in Clint Eastwood’s “J.Edgar” and rose to prominence with the HBO series “Girls”. Driver is Kylo Ren, the antagonist of the new “Star Wars” trilogy. He is presented with many emotional battles that conclude in a very sad climactic scene at the end of “Force Awakens”. Kylo Ren will continue to fight against the Resistance and the new rising threat brought by the Force.
4. Oscar Isaac - Poe Dameron
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Poe Dameron meeting BB-8.
Oscar Isaac was born in Guatemala. He was raised in Miami, Florida. He is known for his roles in the Coen brother’s film “Inside Llewyn Davies”, the science fiction thriller “Ex Machina” and the crime drama “A most violent year”. He continues to act as Poe Dameron, a human pilot who served as a commander in the Resistance during its conflict with the First Order. He was an important element in the Resistance’s plan of destroying the Starkiller weapon. The saga will continue with the characters development and bring it to a conclusion.
5. Mark Hamill - Luke Skywalker
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Luke Skywalker meeting Rey.
Mark Hamill was born in Oakland, California. He is best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series. He has voiced many animated characters, his most prolific one being the Joker’s from the Batman animated series. Luke Skywalker appears only at the end of “Force Awakens”, in a self-imposed exile. The rest of the series depend on his decisions regarding the fate of the Jedi’s. There is a big possibility of him becoming Rey’s trainer, and create a relationship similar to the one he had with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
6. Carrie Fisher - Princess Leia
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Ryan Johnson and Carrie Fisher on the set of "The Last Jedi".
Carrie Fisher was born in Burbank, California. She suffered from bipolar disorder and used various drugs to control her mood shifts. Although a great writer, actress and comedian, she is mostly known for her role as Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars series. Unfortunately, Carrie Fisher died not long after finishing filming for “The Last Jedi”. She will not appear in the third instalment of the new trilogy. Leia Organa formed the Resistance that destroyed the superweapon known as Starkiller Base. She sends Rey to find Luke Skywalker and bring him back from his self-imposed exile. The Resistance needs his help in saving the galaxy.
7. Benicio del Toro - DJ
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Benicio del Toro as DJ in "The Last Jedi".
Benicio del Toro is a Puerto Rican actor. He is known for playing thugs and drug dealers. His breakout performance was in “The Usual Suspects” and “Sicario”. DJ is a new character in the series and Benicio del Toro looks like the perfect actor to interpret it. In fact, his character is so mysterious, that we don’t even know for sure if his name is really DJ. That’s just how the filmmakers decided to call him.
8. Andy Serkis - Supreme Leader Snoke
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Supreme Leader Snoke giving new orders.
Andy Serkis is an English film actor and director. He is most popular for his motion capture roles, such as Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, King Kong in the 2005 film and Caesar in the “Planet of the Apes” reboot series. It comes with no surprise to see him as another motion captured character in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Supreme Leader Snoke was a powerful figure. He is skilled with the dark side of the Force. He saw great balance of the light and dark of the Force in the Skywalker bloodline and decided to become Kylo Ren’s trainer. I’m sure his part in the story is not even close to being over.
9. Laura Dern - Vice Admiral Holdo
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Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Holdo.
Laura Dern is an American actress. She was nominated for several awards for a variety of films. Dern is mostly known for her collaboration with David Lynch, having appeared in four of his films and the revival of “Twin Peaks”. Vice Admiral Holdo is a new character in the Star Wars universe. There is not a lot of information regarding her role in the stories development. However, there are some assumptions that say she is a great and influential politician and she will rival against Princess Leia and the Resistance.
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Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, the first Star Wars female villain.
Gwendoline Christie is an English actress and model. She is known for her portrayal of warrior Brienne of Tarth in the “Game of thrones” series. Christie could relate to the character because of her height and androgynous looks. She was passionate in playing the part. Her role as Captain Phasma fits her like a glove. She is wearing an armor. She is imposing. She is a warrior. How can it go wrong? Captain Phasma’s appearance was rather short in “The Force awakens”, but her character will develop further on with the next instalments.
The Star Wars universe is expanding. Not only are there new characters that we grow to love and root for, but there are also spin-offs in plan that will bring even the side stories to the big screen (ex. “Rogue One”). Is it a good idea or a bad idea? I don’t know. For sure, it’s a risky idea. Until then, I am really looking forward in seeing the next chapter of our main story. And I recommend all of you to do the same this December. I can’t see a better way to get in the holiday spirit, then by going on a short trip to “a galaxy far, far away.”
