Lupita Nyong'o and Gwendoline Christie Join Star Wars: Episode 7 Cast

Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o has joined the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode 7' along with 'Game of Thrones' actress Gwendoline Christie.

The announcement was made in a blog post over at StarWars.com.

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

Nyong'o won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award earlier this year for her performance as the abused slave Patsie in '12 Years a Slave'. She was also recently seen in Liam Neeson actioner 'Non-Stop'.

Christie is best known for her role as tough female warrior Brienne of Tarth in HBO's hit fantasy show 'Game of Thrones', and will appear in 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2' as Commander Lyme.

The pair join the cast of the film which recently began shooting in Abu Dhabi.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow join the original stars of the Saga Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

['Star Wars 7' casting not finished yet says Abrams]

The news of two new female cast members will be a relief to some commenters (including us) who suggested that the original cast announcement was lacking on the gender equality front. The first reveal showed only two female actors amongst the thirteen castmembers, so this should help bring balance to the Force.

Director JJ Abrams revealed to fans on May 4 that casting on his much anticipated sequel hadn't finished, so you can expect more announcements as the shoot progresses.

'Star Wars: Episode 7' is coming to cinemas December 18, 2015.