Lupita Nyong'o Joins 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Cast
The Oscar winner joins cast of the highly-anticipated movie.
June 2, 2014— -- Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, 31, has officially joined the cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII."
Along with the "12 Years a Slave" actress, Gwendoline Christie from "Game of Thrones" is joining the cast too.
Read: 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Cast Announced: 'Girls' Star Adam Driver, Max Von Sydow and More
Related: Carrie Fisher Gives Details of Her 'Star Wars' Reunion
Watch: Sunday Spotlight: Lupita Nyong'o
"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy told Starwars.com. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."
Nyong'o also posted her excitement on Instagram.
"I can finally say it out loud and proud: I'm going to a galaxy far far away!" she wrote.
The two will join Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac and Max von Sydow as newbies to the franchise, along with icons such as Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford.
The movie, directed by JJ Abrams, opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.