It begins filming soon.

Felicity's Keri Russell is reportedly in talks to head to a galaxy far, far away and join Star Wars: Episode IX in an "action-heavy" role. Production for the latest instalment in the sci-fi franchise is expected to begin at the end of the month. It is scheduled for release in December 2019. It is being directed and co-written by Star Wars: The Force Awakens' filmmaker, J.J. Abrams. Sources told Entertainment Weekly that negotiations for Russell to join are underway - and while they are in the final stages, the deal hasn't been finalised yet.   It's not immediately clear if her character would be fighting alongside the heroes of the Resistance or if she would be a member of the First Order. According to Variety, the role in question calls for some action-heavy fight scenes - although there are no more details available at this time. The publication also notes that the director has at least two other major roles to cast before production begins.   Russell and Abrams last collaborated on Mission: Impossible III in 2006. She also starred as Felicity Porter in Felicity from 1998 to 2002. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver are all expected to return for Star Wars: Episode IX.