Matt Smith lands Star Wars role

FRESH off the success of The Crown, the English actor has landed a key part in the next sci-fi film.

MATT Smith has reportedly been cast in a “key” role in the next Star Wars film.

Variety reports that the Doctor Who star will appear in Star Wars: Episode IX, which has begun filming in the UK.

While it’s not known what role Smith will play, the actor has been cast in the next instalment alongside other newcomers Keri Russell, Dominic Monaghan and Richard E. Grant.

Matt Smith as he appeared in Doctor Who. His role in Star Wars Episode IX is currently unknown.

MORE: First photos emerge from the set of new Star Wars movie

Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac will all reprise their starring roles from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.

Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016, will also be appearing in the final instalment in scenes shot before her death.

Mark Hamill will also reappear as Luke Skywalker a final time, despite his character’s death in The Last Jedi – most likely as a force ghost, as his masters did before him.

Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill will play Rey and Luke again in Star Wars Episode IX. Picture: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas

Billy Dee Williams will also return to the franchise as Lando Calrissian, having played the character in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi in the 1980s.

Not much else is known about the film, except that it is being directed by The Force Awakens’ JJ Abrams.

The Sun has claimed that Ewan McGregor would be reprising his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi after playing the famous Jedi in Revenge Of The Sith, Attack of the Clones and The Phantom Menace from 1999 to 2005.

Star Wars Episode IX will be released in December 2019.