'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' Release Date, Cast News: Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Appear?
Is Joseph Gordon-Levitt going to be in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? Director Rian Johnson, who worked with Gordon-Levitt in the 2012 movie "Looper," apparently asked him to play a small role in the eighth installment.
Johnson confirmed Gordon-Levitt's participation on "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" during a press conference in Japan. Fans of the franchise, however, might not likely recognize him once the film runs as Gordon-Levitt will only serve as a voice actor to an alien.
Cameos from well-established A-list actors on "Star Wars" are nothing new. In 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," James Bond actor Daniel Craig dressed up as a Stormtrooper. Rey (Daisy Ridley) did her Jedi mind tricks on him while Kylo Ren imprisoned her.
Other rumored cameos for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" also include Tom Hardy ("Mad Max: Fury Road") and Justin Theroux ("The Leftovers"). John Boyega (Finn) confirmed he saw Hardy hanging out on the set during filming. Theroux's small role will allegedly be that of an expert slicer or hacker.
Meanwhile, Johnson will not be taking over the director duties for "Star Wars: Episode 9" following Colin Trevorrow's exit. He told the press that it was never in the cards to direct the next "Star Wars" movie as his focus is on the eighth installment.
"Whoever does it, I'm going to be really excited to be an audience member again, and to sit down and see what the next filmmaker has to show us and where this story ends up going," Johnson said.
Following his statement, Lucasfilm confirmed that J.J. Abrams will direct the final installment in the current trilogy. Abrams directed "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." He will also co-write the screenplay of "Episode 9" with Chris Terrio.
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" will be in theaters on Dec. 15. With the changes behind the scenes, the ninth installment's movie release has been pushed from May 2019 to December 2019.
