When the cast was officially announced for the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode IX,” as expected, the major actors were all returning, including Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. However, there were a few new additions to the franchise, as well, including veteran British actor Richard E. Grant. And judging by a video posted by the actor on Twitter, no one was happier to be part of J.J. Abrams’ upcoming film than Grant.
After the announcement, rumors and speculation swirled, as social media and the Internet are wont to do. Who is Grant playing in the film? Could he possibly be bringing the infamous Grand Admiral Thrawn to the big screen?
For those not steeped in “Star Wars” knowledge, Thrawn is a fan-favorite villain that has been around for a long time, even pre-Disney. Recently, there’s been a new novel published about his origin, as well as a major role in the now-ended “Star Wars Rebels” animated series, which, as I’m told time and again by the esteemed Playlist Editor-in-Chief Rodrigo Perez is must-see TV. Both the novel and ‘Rebels’ have made Thrawn the go-to wishlist villain for many fans.
Like many rumors that float around about the galaxy far, far away, there was hardly any evidence to back up the assertion that Grant would be playing Thrawn. Mainly, fans looked at the side-by-side comparison of the actor’s face to Thrawn’s, and they decided it was a done deal. But, according to the actor, while he can’t talk about much, Grant can definitely debunk one wild rumor.
“I’m not playing the ‘Star Wars’ character you just mentioned,” Grant said in an interview with Radio Times after they asked if he’d play the fan-favorite villain. “I’m not allowed to tell you anything. Otherwise I would be fired.”
He concludes, “It’s a complete lockdown on any information whatsoever.”
Now, as with anything to do with the “Star Wars” franchise, fans will no doubt look at this as either definitive proof he’s not playing Thrawn, or just a sneaky way for him to throw off the scent so that Abrams can introduce him to the shock and awe of the audience. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that we should probably just listen to Grant.
Let’s just hope that whatever villain Grant plays (if in fact, the role is a villainous one), he’s better than Hux. I’m about sick of that guy.
From left of field, came a call from my Agent about a generic audition scene I’d self taped a couple of months ago ……. @starwars courtesy of casting director #Nina Gold #Star Wars pic.twitter.com/zmGCHIlheu
— Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) August 5, 2018