There’s plenty of logic that means the possible casting of Keri Russell makes sense, especially given J.J. Abrams proclivity for casting and working with long-time friends. Variety posted the news earlier this evening, and now we have to wonder, if this does come to pass will she be for the good guys, or the bad guys?
Sources tell Variety that the “Felicity” alum is in early talks to join J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode IX,” which Abrams is writing and directing. Russell and Abrams last collaborated on 2006’s “Mission: Impossible III.”
The role calls for action-heavy fight scenes. Russell has shown her ability to perform tough stunts in projects like FX’s “The Americans,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”
Abrams and Lucasfilm execs met with several actresses for the role in the past two months and settled on Russell right before the Fourth of July holiday. Abrams will likely cast two more actors by the time the film begins production at the end of the month. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver are all expected to return.
As we posted last month, Billy Dee Williams will return as Lando Calrissian, so now we wait as more casting news is confirmed and officially announced.
