StarWars-ing: We Now Know (Most of) the Episode IX Cast

LucasFilm announced the cast list for Episode IX this past weekend.  Returning are Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo and Billie Lord.  The inclusion of the Billie Lord in this list suggests she might have a more expanded role (fingers-crossed).
New cast members will include Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant and Keri Russell.  Of course, until the release of the movie it will be be fun to read all of the theories about the roles this new actors will have.  Reading some of the theories for Laura Dern, especially in hindsight, is quite fun. One of the best things about Star Wars is playing monday morning quarterback.
Also returning are Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, and Billy Dee Williams.  Not surprising, Mr. Williams has gotten the most fan reaction the fandom we follow on social media.  Personally, we hope he has a meaningful role instead of just a quick cameo. We can’t wait to see how they use Mr. Hamill.  Will he guide Rey or attempt to steen Kylo to the light?  To my recollection, we haven’t seen a character so heavily influenced by the dark side interact with a force ghost from the light side.
The biggest cast annoucement was that Carrie Fisher will be in the movie using unreleased footage shot from The Force Awakens.  According to the release, JJ Abrams stated that Billie Lourd, Carrie’s daughter, gave her full support to how she is used.  If it is good enough for Ms. Lourd, then as fans, it has to be good enough for us.
Now, for Episode VIII, Frank Oz was not listed.  Does this mean a surprise?  Will Mr. Oz return?  Hayden Christenson? Ewan McGregor? We expect that we won’t know until we see the movie.
John Williams will return to compose the score for the film.
Also, in the first sentence of the statement, Lucasfilm use the phrase “the final installment of the Skywalker saga.” Of course, up to this point the main titles of Star Wars have been about the Skywalkers.  Yet, the universe is large and there is so much history and future to cover. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.  Or, could this be an extremely early mcguffin?
Again, no way for us to know until we are actually in the theater in December 2019.