Just because most of the cast was announced and filming is already underway, you didn’t really think Star Wars casting was over, did you? Star Wars casting is never over. Today, Lucasfilm has announced that Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne from Game of Thrones) have joined Star Wars: Episode VII. A few months ago, there was word that Nyong’o had met with director J.J. Abrams about the film, and it looks like those conversations worked out. As for Christie, this is the first time we’ve heard her name connected to Episode VII, and this is another big film for the talented actress as she’s also signed on to co-star in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2. “I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy in a statement. “It’s thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.” One of the criticisms of the previously-announced cast was the lack of female actresses. We don’t know how big Nyong’o and Christie’s roles will be, but it’s exciting to have them on board.

Hit the jump for the press release. Star Wars: Episode VII opens December 18, 2015, and also stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.

Here’s the press release from StarWars.com: