By Just in time for National Bowtie Day, Variety has confirmed that former Doctor Who leading man Matt Smith will join the cast of Star Wars: Episode IX. You can stop clutching onto your Doctor Who/Star Wars crossover fanfiction now—this is the best you’re getting in real life.
Because J.J. Abrams is J.J. Abrams, we have no idea what role The Crown co-star will play. Smith played a villain in another iconic sci-fi franchise, specifically the literal embodiment of Skynet in the ill-fated Terminator Genisys. With that in mind, there is precedent for Smith playing baddies, but Doctor Who fans would surely love to see him side with the Resistance.
Matt Smith joins new cast members Keri Russell, Richard E. Grant (another Doctor Whoalum), Dominic Monaghan, and Naomi Ackie. Returning cast members include Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Anthony Daniels, and Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd. The late Carrie Fisher will return through unused footage.
Star Wars: Episode IX will release in theaters on December 20, 2019. In the meanwhile, let that masterful photoshop of Smith with a lightsaber and BB-8 hold you over until then.
‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Casts Matt Smith in Key Role [Variety]