Star Wars Episode VII Adds Lupita Nyong’o & Gwendoline Christie

The top notch Episode VII cast grows, again, with two great female actors officially on board.

I’ve been quite impressed with the cast announcements for Star Wars Episode VII, but like many on the interweb, it was disappointing that the new male-heavy lineup continued the trend of Star Wars as a boys club, ignoring the gender diversity being celebrated in other blockbusters like Marvel Studios’ movies.

We’re still not there with gender representation in the galaxy far, far away, but today’s casting reveals bring us closer, with two great actresses being added to the already promising cast.

Lupita Nyong’o has long been rumored for Star Wars, but it’s great to get confirmation that the 12 Years a Slave star has officially joined.  Gwendoline Christie– who absolutely owns her role as Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones— is definitely the bigger surprise, but certainly a pleasant one.

I’m totally stoked about both new cast members… how about you?

Oh, and TMZ also published a colossal batch of spy photos from the Tattooine set… So those are out there, too, making this a big day for the new Star Wars, whether they intended it to be or not.

The pictures look alright, I guess, considering it’s a planet that’s been shoehorned in to, like, every movie… But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t dig the hell out of that awesome practical monster.

Source: StarWars.com