Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline Christie confirmed for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

SAN FRANCISCO, June 2 (UPI) -- Lupita Nyong'o and Gwendoline Christie have joined the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Lucasfilm announced Monday that the Oscar winner and Game of Thrones actress are confirmed for the upcoming movie. Details about their roles are still under wraps.

"I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII," Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. "It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape."

Nyong'o and Christie join two other female leads: original star Carrie Fisher and newcomer Daisy Ridley. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow also star.

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled for release December 18, 2015. Production began in May.