Lord of the Rings’ Dominic Monaghan Joins Star Wars: Episode IX

Lord of the Ring’s beloved hobbit Merry, Dominic Monaghan, will reunite with director JJ Abrams for the forthcoming finale to the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: Episode IX.

The actor previously starred as Charlie Pace in Abrams’ ABC television series Lost. Monaghan has been vocal about his desire to appear in a Star Wars film, and even pleaded with the director to appear in 2015’s Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, but was rebuked as Abrams wished to cast mostly unknowns. Now, however, as Abrams is set to complete the sequel trilogy, Monaghan has joined the cast in a presently-unknown capacity.

Monaghan, who also starred in director Duncan Jones’ Mute for Netflix earlier this year, joins a cast which includes Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourde, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, and the late Carrie Fisher (who will make an appearance via unused footage from previous films).

Shooting began earlier this month on the conclusion to the episodic Star Wars films, which is still awaiting an official announcement regarding its subtitle (heavily rumoured to be Star Wars: Episode IX – The New Order). The flick is expected to debut on the 18th of December, 2019.