The cast for the next Star Wars film has been revealed in a surprise announcement, with a mixture of veteran stars and new faces set to appear.

The late actress Carrie Fisher will feature in Episode IX using previously unseen footage that was recorded for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The star, who played Princess Leia in the film series, died suddenly in 2016.

Billy Dee Williams, 81, will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian and Richard E Grant will join the cast.

"We desperately loved Carrie Fisher," director J.J. Abrams said in a statement announcing the line-up. "Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us."

"We have found a way to honour Carrie's legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII."

Mark Hamill, who was catapulted to fame by the first Star Wars film in 1977, will return as Luke Skywalker.

He will be joined by fellow series veteran Anthony Daniels who plays android interpreter C-3PO and is the only actor to have appeared in all of the franchise's major films.

Source: Press Release