Among the cast of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, there are two notable additions to the cast. The first is Kelly Marie Tran, who plays Rose Tico. Her character gives the audience a unique perspective – that of one of the common people working in the trenches as the galactic conflict unfolds above them. What is her role in this world? And what does she think of the Skywalker Saga she’s thrown in the middle of? These are questions I asked her. And along the way she revealed another relationship she represents that we haven’t seen in the movies yet – sisters. Rose’s sister is a gunner in the Resistance, a fact that will undoubtedly pull Rose further into the conflict.
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Tran is joined by a newcomer to Star Wars but a veteran in Hollywood – Laura Dern. She plays Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo. With purple hair, stylish clothes, and a stern look, she promises to bring additional drama to the story as she butts heads with General Leia and the ever-optimistic Poe Dameron. I was fortunate to have Oscar Isaac join the interview with Laura Dern and the two provided a lot of laughs, memories of Star Wars, and stories about Carrie Fisher from the set.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper) and continues the storylines introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, welcoming back cast members Mark Hamill, the late Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis. New cast members will include Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro, Academy Award nominee Laura Dern, and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.
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The sequel is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in regular and IMAX theaters on December 15, 2017.
