The younger stars of the more recent installments of the Skywalker Saga trilogy (Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, and Billie Lourd) will all reprise their roles. Veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams (who had been previously confirmed, see "Lando Back for Episode IX") will also appear. Naomi Ackier and Richard E. Grant will also join the ensemble cast.
Carrie Fisher will also appear in the new film, using previously unreleased footage shot during Star Wars: The Force Awakens. "We desperately loved Carrie Fisher," said director J.J. Abrams. "Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honor Carrie’s legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII." Fisher died in 2016 just after finishing filming for The Force Awakens (see "Carrie Fisher Dead at 60").
Abrams, who co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio, with direct the feature. John Williams will return to score Episode IX. The film will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and J.J. Abrams. Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin will executive produce.
Star Wars: Episode IX will release on December 20, 2019.