Star Wars: Episode VII is bringing back a long list of actors from the original trilogy, but one name that hasn’t been mentioned until recently is that of fan-favorite actor Warwick Davis. The actor who played the Ewok hero Wicket in Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return Of The Jedi made his involvement official this week, however, in a new video announcement.
Davis, who many know from his starring role in the 1988 fantasy adventure Willow along with recurring roles in the Harry Potter and Leprechaun franchises and his television series Life’s Too Short, recorded a video announcement of his return to the Star Wars universe that was posted to YouTube this week. While he doesn’t reveal the character he’ll play in Episode VII, there’s a good chance it will be an entirely new role for him, as there’s been no indication that the Ewoks will factor into the upcoming sequel.
The British actor made his debut as Wicket in The Return of the Jedi, and later reprised the role for the made-for-television movies The Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. He then played a brief, supporting role in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace without his Ewok costume.
Star Wars: Episode VII hits theaters December 18, 2015, and features returning cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker, as well as newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Christina Chong, Crystal Clarke, and Pip Anderson. The film is directed by J.J. Abrams.