New Star Wars Film Will Be Populated With Stage Veterans

A host of stage veterans will star in J.J. Abrams' upcoming reboot of the Star Wars franchise. The film, Episode VII in the long-running sci-fi saga, is set to begin shooting in the coming weeks and open worldwide on December 18, 2015. Abrams directs the film, which features a screenplay he coauthored with Lawrence Kasdan.

Officially announced to appear in the new film are New York stage veterans Adam Driver (Man and Boy), Oscar Isaac (Shakespeare in the Park's Romeo and Juliet), Domhnall Gleeson (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), and stage and screen legend Max von Sydow, as well as John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Andy Serkis. They join the film's original stars, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker, who will also appear in the new flick.

"It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again," Abrams said in a statement.