Star Wars Casts Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie

ByKathleen Monin Hours

There are now two more reasons to be excited about Star Wars Episode VII, and they are both two gorgeous ladies that we know and love. The franchise just announced that the cast will include Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, who is best known for her role as Patsey in the recent film, 12 Years a Slave. The second addition is British actress Gwendoline Christie, who we know from her performance as Brienne of Tarth in everyone’s favorite show, Game of Thrones.

Diversity comes to the cast

These two additions to the cast are enthusiastically welcomed by fans, who previously complained about the lack of diversity. Up until now, the newest Star Wars characters were to be portrayed by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow. Christie and Nyong’o have saved the show from following a story following mainly white males.

What more can we expect from Lupita Nyong’o?

Recently, Lupita Nyong’o tweeted: “I can finally say it out loud and proud: I’m going to a galaxy far far away!” Being an actress who only recently emerged into the spotlight, this announcement is especially exciting news from Nyong’o. Most recently, she was awarded an Oscar for her portrayal of the slave girl Patsey in the historical drama 12 Years a Slave. Anticipation is already building to see a follow up of Nyong’o’s award-winning performance. At the moment, Nyong’o is involved with another movie, Non-Stop, and will act alongside several stars, including Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore. In addition to her acting career, this highly talented woman has worked in production, editing, writing and directing. The Kenyan actress is also highly educated, having graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from Yale in 2012.

The exciting career developments of Gwendoline Christie

Christie’s character on Game of Thrones, Brienne of Tarth, is a female knight with a supposedly romantic connection to Jamie Lannister. By comparison, she is by no means a high stakes character. But, the accomplishment of landing a role in such a wildly popular show is helping to boost Christie in to other major motion picture franchises. Her character in Episode VII has yet to be announced. But, before Star Wars’ latest chapter hits the big screens, we will see Christie perform in another major motion picture. She was recently cast as Commander Lyme, to appear in both parts one and two of the upcoming Mockingjay movies, the conclusion of the Hunger Games saga.

 

A Writing and Multimedia student, Kathleen is an avid writer. Her favorite topics are the technological developments of the world and all things humorous. When she isn't being a ridiculously motivated student, Kathleen loves watching Game of Thrones, doing things that are not inside, and making people smile.