Jurassic Park’s Laura Dern joins the Star Wars: Episode VIII cast

Laura Dern will make her way back into the spotlight as she joins the Star Wars Episode VIII cast, an official announcement has revealed.

The Jurassic Park star did not feature in the franchise's latest instalment, Jurassic World, but judging by the figures on the back of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, she might well have weaved herself into something much, much bigger.

John Boyega confirmed at the BAFTA awards that production for the next Star Wars film would start today, and Disney confirmed as much today with a special teaser video. An official announcement post also confirmed the return of other Force Awakens' cast members, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis.

The post also confirmed Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro's involvement in the film. We had previously heard his name thrown around as a potential villainous role, but Disney has not specified.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is expected to hit cinema screens across the world on December 15th, 2017, but the role played by Dern is still unknown.

Will she stand in the light or join the dark side of the force? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

[StarWars.com]