Lupita Nyong'o lands Star Wars: Episode VII role

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has been added to the cast of the new Star Wars movie.

The 12 Years A Slave star joins Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, John Boyega and original franchise stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker in Episode VII, which began shooting at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England on 16 May (14).

Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie will also join the cast for the much-anticipated film, which is set to hit theaters in December, 2015.

Announcing the new casting news on Monday (02Jun14), producer Kathleen Kennedy says, "I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII. It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."