Dominic Monaghan to reunite with J.J. Abrams on Star Wars: Episode IX

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Keri Russell won't be the only former star of a J.J. Abrams series to find themselves in a galaxy far, far away, as Deadline has reported that Dominic Monaghan is set to reunite with Abrams for STAR WARS: EPISODE IX.

Dominic Monaghan previously played ex-rockstar Charlie Pace on Lost, but the nature of his role on STAR WARS: EPISODE IX hasn't been disclosed. The actor had previously expressed a desire to appear in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, which Abrams also helmed, but it seems that he's finally got his chance to play around in the STAR WARS universe. "The galaxy far far away has had almost as much influence as the one I live in, so I am delighted to be involved," Monaghan said. The actor also isn't a stranger to huge big-budget franchises as he appeared as Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck in Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joona Suotamo, and Billie Lourd will all be returning for the final installment of the Skywalker Saga, along with Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, and Carrie Fisher. Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (LOGAN), and Keri Russell (The Americans) will also be joining the cast, but much like Dominic Monaghan's role, the nature of their characters remains a mystery.

If you're wondering just how the late Carrie Fisher will be appearing in STAR WARS: EPISODE IX, well it seems that they'll be using previously unreleased footage from THE FORCE AWAKENS and THE LAST JEDI. "We desperately loved Carrie Fisher," Abrams said. "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."

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX will hit theaters on December 20, 2019.