The power of Star Wars to inspire feelings in its fans cannot be denied, but usually, there have to be some visuals to really get the waterworks going. Not so for Keri Russell (The Americans), who’s joining the cast of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as Zorri Bliss.
She told the Associated Press as much, after all, saying that the script alone made her cry as she read it. Of course, she couldn’t specify what had her crying. Maybe just the fact that she’s in a Star Wars movie? Despite the expansion of live-action opportunities, there really aren’t all that many movies, and casts are pretty set. She did add that she’s been a fan since the original films, concluding: “So, yes, it’s incredible to get to be whatever part I am.”
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Look at that artful dodging about her character! Are we really surprised, though? We can’t even see Russell’s face as Zorri. This was apparently a selling point for her, as she said: “I was like, ‘That is my dream job. I can see everyone. No one can see me. Hello. Amazing!’” Sure, she may have made an art of melting into different characters on The Americans, but this represents a new challenge: embodying a character without facial expressions to lean back on.
What’s the advice? Oh, yes: “Don’t underestimate the importance of body language!”
Hopefully, if we do see Zorri’s face, it’s not just for a “Hey, look, guys, it’s Keri Russell! We got Keri Russell to be in this movie!” Characters like this in Star Wars, including Darth Vader, usually have something significant to go along with the reveal of their face, whether it be a larger plot point or just an emotional reckoning. (Yes, even Jango Fett, because then we know what Boba looks like in Return of the Jedi as well as the rest of the clones in The Clone Wars.)
Granted, The Force Awakens did pretty well with Max von Sydow’s limited screentime in terms of not seeming like it was just an excuse to show off his face as a get for the film, although we’d rather not have Zorri die if we can help it.
Well, if she dies, we might cry. The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20.
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