Doctor Who: Eleventh Doctor actor Matt Smith cast in Star Wars: Episode IX

Worlds of sci-fi collide, as it’s been revealed that former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith has been cast in Star Wars: Episode IX.

Earlier this week, Variety revealed that Matt Smith, who will forever be known to Doctor Who fans as the Eleventh Doctor, has apparently been cast in Star Wars: Episode IX.

Currently, not much more is known at this point, other than that he has a “key role” in the film. Whether that role will be on the side of the heroes or the villains is currently unknown at this point.

This is quite big news for fans of both franchises. We’ve had actors who’ve played the Doctor involved in the Star Wars universe before, including David Tennant in Star Wars: Clone Wars and Tom Baker in Star Wars: Rebels.

But this will be the first time that a former Doctor has appeared in one of the main films. (Not counting Peter Cushing, who starred in two remakes of First Doctor stories before later playing Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars.)

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 21: Actor Matt Smith attends the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 27522_011 (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Turner)

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So it’s quite a big moment for Matt Smith. It’s been a while since he’s done anything in a sci-fi franchise, too. He appeared in Terminator Genisys, and while his role was supposed to be expanded in further sequels, those sequels got cancelled due to Genisys‘s lack of success.

So it’s nice to see him in a big franchise again. Especially as he’s been far from work free the past few years, due to starring as Prince Philip in The Crown. We know that he can handle the world of not just science-fiction well, but also something as big as a franchise that’s lasted for decades. So he should fit right into the world of Star Wars.

We’ll bring you more details on his role in Episode IX when we hear them.

Are you excited about Matt Smith appearing in Star Wars? Are you a fan of the franchise, too? Are there any other actors from Doctor Who that you’d like to see appear in it? Let us know in the comments below.