Gugu Mbatha-Raw was additionally cast as a fourth main lead, signed on for both Episodes VIII and IX. In fall 2015, Benicio del Toro was cast as a new villain in the film, joining Adam Driver and Andy Serkis, who play the trilogy's main villains Ben Solo/Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke respectively. It was announced in August 2014 that actress Daisy Ridley would reprise her role in both Episodes VIII and IX. In June 2014, it was announced that Rian Johnson, director of the hit 2012 sci-fi flick Looper, would write and direct The Last Jedi.
His involvement was made official when Star Wars Insider 144 stated he would score the 'new Star Wars trilogy'. In February 2013, Disney revealed that Kasdan and Kinberg were working on standalone films as well.ĭuring a concert with the Young Musician's Foundation Debut Orchestra on February 9, composer John Williams stated that he was hoping to get the chance to write the musical scores for the entire new trilogy. Unofficial reports claimed in November 2012 that Lawrence Kasdan, who originally wrote the screenplays for both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and co-writer Simon Kinberg would divide writing responsibilities for The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, and both would co-produce all three films of the upcoming sequel trilogy, alongside Kathleen Kennedy.
