After months of speculation it’s finally been confirmed that Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o will be joining the cast of Star Wars Episode VII. The actress, who won the award for her role in 12 Years a Slave, announced the news herself on her Twitter account, telling fans, “I can finally say it out loud and proud: I’m going to a galaxy far far away!” Lupita’s name had continually cropped up in Star Wars Episode VII cast discussions and many fans had been surprised to not see her name on the first cast list revealed by director JJ Abrams.

Lupita wasn’t the only new cast member announced. Popular Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie has also been signed up for the new Star Wars film. Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy said, “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.”

Lupita Nyong'o Star WarsLupita Nyong'o had long been rumoured to be joined the cast of Star Wars Episode VII

As of yet there’s still no words on which characters both Nyong’o and Christie will be playing. In fact, there still not a whole lot of information about who anyone will be playing. We’re sort of assuming that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford will be reprising their roles as Luke, Leia and Han, because, well, it would be pretty weird if they weren’t.

MORE: Lupita Nyong'o nets a Prada design for Met Gala 2014

Girls actor Adam Driver is pegged to play the bad guy of the piece, while Daisy Ridley is rumoured to be the offspring of Han and Leia. Fans have been playing the guessing game when it comes to who Lupita may be cast as. Many have speculated that the will be playing Asajj Ventress, a female Sith who appears in The Clone Wars.

While this has been a fairly popular consensus, some fans have argued that the timing isn’t quite right. When Ventress appears in The Clone Wars she appears to be in her 20’s. The Clone Wars took place 20 years before Episodes IV, V and VI, while the new films take place 30 years after that. That would place Ventress in her 70’s when the action of Episode VII takes place. While it’s a possibility that her race doesn’t age as quickly as humans do, it still seems quite unlikely. Perhaps she can be Ventress’s granddaughter instead?


Lupita Nyong'o Star WarsGame of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie has also joined the Star Wars cast

Still little to no idea who Christie could play, which character do you think it most likely? Or will they create a whole new role for her? Perhaps news that Lupita has been cast makes room for a Zac Efron announcement. After all, his name popped up as often as Lupita’s. Watch this space.

MORE: Gwendoline Christie cast in The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part II

Click here to watch the trailer for 12 Years a Slave.