The star of The Americans and Felicity, Keri Russell, is reportedly in early negotiations to jump on board Star Wars: Episode IX.
The role in which J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm were originally courting a number of actresses before settling on Russell prior to the 4th of July holiday, is being kept top secret. However, the role is supposedly expected to involve a number of fight sequences.
With casting expected to commence at the end of July, Abrams is expected to cast at least another two key cast members. Star Wars Alumni Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver are all expected to return.
Abrams, who directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is back on board to take the helm after Colin Trevorrow exited following “creative differences”. Russell and Abrams have previously worked together on 2006’s Mission: Impossible III.
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Only last month it was announced that Lucasfilm has decided to put a hold on any further solo outings for the foreseeable future. Contributing factors include a poor turn out for the recent in the anthology series, Solo: A Star Wars story which didn’t meet expectations at the box office, taking just $339.5 million in just four weeks. Another reason being contributed to the poor takings on Solo was its release date in Spring instead of the trusted old December festive release. Lucasfilm will instead be concentrating their efforts on Star Wars: Episode IX and the trilogy of films that are due after that.
Russell has previously shown her ability to perform a few stunt worthy scenes in the projects like FX’s The Americans, Mission: Impossible, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
