CLEVELAND, Ohio -- J.J. Abrams and Keri Russell go way back. She, of course, played the lead in Abrams' seminal 1990s TV drama, "Felicity," and appeared in his directorial debut "Mission: Impossible III."
Now, the "Star Wars: Force Awakens" director and "The Americans" actress are teaming up again as Russell has been cast in Abrams' next project, Star Wars Episode IX.
The news comes from Variety, who doesn't have any specifics about who Russell will play, except to say "the role calls for action-heavy fight scenes."
Could the 42-year-old actress perhaps be playing Rey's (Daisy Ridley) mother, who Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) told her was a nobody buried in a pauper's grave, but who nobody (besides maybe Rey) actually believes?
Regardless, Russell won' be the only newcomer to the cast. Variety says Abrams expect to add two more actors to join the likes of Ridley, Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Kelly Marie Tran before production begins at the end of the month.
The film is supposed to be the final episode in the Skywalker saga and, currently, is the only Star Wars film on Disney's calendar. Long-rumored spinoff films focusing on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Boba Fett have reportedly been put on hold following the box office disappointment of "Solo: A Star Wars Story."
Look for Star Wars: Episode IX in theaters on Dec. 20, 2019.