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2.15.2016

Kelly Marie Tran joins the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'

Production is officially underway on the next chapter of the 'Star Wars' saga.



We've all felt a disturbance in the Force, as it was announced that filming for Star Wars VIII is officially underway. It has been confirmed that the next chapter of the Star Wars saga will feature several new cast additions, including Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and... "talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran." Yoooooo.

Star Wars: Episode VIII Now Filming

I don't know about you, but I kind of lost my shit when I found out that Kelly was in the cast of Star Wars. While she's a relative newcomer -- at least, to anything as big as Star Wars -- and probably unknown to most, many of us know her as an active member of the improv comedy scene in Los Angeles. And she's really awesome.




Kelly, a San Diego native, is a UCLA grad and veteran of the improv comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade. Her credits include appearances in numerous CollegeHumor shorts and small TV roles in About a Boy, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

She's been in a ton of videos, including playing the "Full Asian" in this sketch:


Of course, we know absolutely nothing about who or what Kelly is going to play in a galaxy far, far away, and we probably won't know for a while. But it's presumably big enough to include in the movie's official production announcement. We'll have to add her to a future edition of All of the Asians in 'Star Wars.'

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: Episode VIII will pick up where The Force Awakens left off. Returning cast members include Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis.


Star Wars: Episode VIII is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

More here: Who is Star Wars: Episode VIII actress Kelly Marie Tran?


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