Star Wars Episode 9: Is Keri Russell joining JJ Abrams Episode 9?

Kerri Russell is in talks to join the cast of the Star Wars contemporary trilogy in an unspecified role.

The Americans actress, who just finished shooting the final season of the Cold War drama, last worked with Abrams on 2006’s Mission: Impossible III.

But their relationship goes back way before Mission Impossible.

Russell rose to fame for her role in Felicity as the eponymous protagonist which aired in the late 90s and early 00s.

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Felicity was also Abrams’ directorial debut, meaning their working together will, in all likelihood, be seamless.

The character she will be playing in Episode 9 isn’t named yet, but it will call for “action-heavy fight scenes.”

Disney, the parent company of Lucasfilm, had no comment on the casting. Yet.

Some fans speculate Russell may play Rey’s mother in a flashback and, given the circumstances in which Rey was left, you can assume there will be some fighting involved.

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Episode IX isn’t scheduled for release until December 20th, 2019 which gives a bit of reprieve from the Star Wars fatigue said to have plagued Solo at the box office.

This gap also allows the turbulent news surrounding the solo spin-off, and the subsequent canning of other spin-offs, to fade from memory.

Abrams and Russell have a long history of working together. They first teamed on The WB drama series Felicity way back in 1998 and then reunited for Mission: Impossible III, which served as Abrams’ feature directorial debut.

While Abrams was preparing for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Russell stated she was keen to be a part of his adaptation of the Star Wars.

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She told TV Line in 2013: “I’m waiting for my call. I would do anything for JJ, honestly, I would do craft service.”

Lucasfilm and Episode IX director J.J. Abrams reportedly spent the last two months looking for an actress to fill this unnamed part.

Variety reported a bit more on the future cast of Episode 9.

“[Abrams] will likely cast two more actors by the time the film begins production at the end of the month,” Variety wrote.

Given this speculation, it’s safe to bet there will be more Star Wars news in the not so distant future.

Star Wars Episode IX is in cinemas Thursday, December 19, 2019.