After months of endless speculation, the cast for J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII has finally been announced. Actors returning from the original film trilogy include the main trio of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, along with Kenny Baker as R2-D2, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO and Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca. They are joined by a cast of impressive new additions that include John Boyega (Attack the Block), Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), newcomer Daisy Ridley and film legend Max von Sydow (The Seventh Seal).

As both a huge Star Wars nerd and film fanatic, I find all of these new cast members to be incredibly exciting choices, particularly Oscar Isaac who delivered one of last year’s finest performances in Inside Llewyn Davis. Isaac’s co-star in that very film Adam Driver is believed to have been cast as Episode VII‘s villain, and I for one greatly anticipate him in the kind of role we have yet to really see him in. Andy Serkis is a fascinating addition, not just because he is a fantastic actor, but also because he has made a career out of performing in a motion capture capacity in both The Lord of the Rings series as well as the recent Planet of the Apes films. Whether this new role is yet another mo-cap performance has yet to be revealed, but it’s a great choice regardless. And then of course, there is Max von Sydow. If he ends up playing a Sith Lord, as I am predicting right now, I think it’s safe to say that the Star Wars universe may have very well gained a new classic villain.

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled for release December 18, 2015.  After this latest news, I honestly can’t wait.