All the talk of “Ant-Man” over the last few days nearly made us forget about Disney‘s other big 2015 movie: J.J. Abrams‘ “Star Wars: Episode 7.” And with cameras now rolling, that promise of more female characters being cast appears to have come true.
Oscar-winning “12 Years A Slave” star Lupita Nyong’o and “Game Of Thrones” actress Gwendoline Christie have both joined the saga. What are their roles? Well, to the speculate-o-tron, because as per usual, the Abrams/Disney veil of secrecy is still shrouded tight over the movie. But they join John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in bringing you the latest adventure in the sprawling series. Oh and case you want spoilers, because you know they’ll come, TMZ has posted 45 pictures from the set.
Meanwhile, in related news, the London Evening Standard reports that Nyong’o is also using her post-Oscar cred to help bring an adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie‘s “Americanah” to the big screen. Right now, Nyong’o will just be helping to get it made, but she make take the lead role too. Here’s the Amazon synopsis:
Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion—for each other and for their homeland.
Update 6/5: Nyong’o will also star in “Americanah” it will be produced via D2 Productions, Brad Pitt‘s Plan B and Potboiler Productions.