The Crown, Doctor Who actor Matt Smith cast in unknown role for JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode IX

Matt Smith, who plays Prince Philip in Netflix’s historical drama The Crown and the Eleventh Doctor on the BBC series Doctor Who is set to join the team of Star Wars: Episode IX . The film is currently in production in the UK. However, it is unknown yet whether Smith will be on the side of the rebels or the evil empire in the narrative, reports Variety. Smith joins returning cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver, as well as newcomers Keri Russell , Richard E Grant, Dominic Monaghan, and Naomi Ackie. [caption id=“attachment_4250117” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Matt Smith in The Crown. Image via Facebook[/caption] Billy Dee Williams is reprising his role as Lando Calrissian, and Carrie Fisher will be featured as Leia Organa in the final installment of the Skywalker saga, using previously unreleased footage shot for _Star Wars: The Force Awakens_ . Fisher died in December 2016 at the age of 60. Mark Hamill will be returning as Luke Skywalker and Anthony Daniels will reprise his role at C-3PO in movie. JJ Abrams helmed Star Wars: The Force Awakens and returned to direct this latest installment after Colin Trevorrow left the project following creative differences. Chris Terrio has co-written the screenplay along with Abrams. Fans will also hear the comeback of composer John Williams, who has scored every film since A New Hope (1977). Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled for a December 2019 release. (With inputs from Indo-Asian News Service)