Entertainment
Did You Catch These Actors In 'Force Awakens'?
If you're a true Star Wars fan, then by now, you probably think you know all there is to know about J.J. Abrams' The Force Awakens, from the time it took to make to the fates of every character to where to buy those BB-8 figurines you've been wanting for Christmas. But even the biggest devotees might not have known just how many Force Awakens cameos by actors there were in the movie. Sure, you knew that Lupita Nyong'o transforms into Maz Kanata and that Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie takes on the role of Captain Phasma, but they're only the tip of the iceberg. In actuality, there were a dozen other awesome celeb appearances in The Force Awakens that you might've missed.
From Daniel Craig's turn as a stormtrooper to Bill Hader's help in bringing BB-8 to (adorable) life, the 12 actors listed below had roles in the newest Star Wars film ranging from silly to significant. Below, I've presented a guide to all the surprising Force Awakens cameos featured in the film, so when you go back for repeat viewings, you'll be able to spot the celeb appearances from a mile away. Obviously, spoilers ahead!
1. Daniel Craig
There had been rumors leading up to TFA that Craig would have a role, but they didn't gain steam, and people mostly forgot about it by the time the movie was released. Yet according to EW , Craig actually did appear in the film, playing the stormtrooper a captive Rey Jedi mind tricks into letting her free.
2. Bill Hader
Thought those robotic noises coming from BB-8 sounded familiar? That's because they belonged to Bill Hader, who lent his vocal talents to the adorable droid and was listed as a "vocal consultant" in the film's credits.
3. Ben Schwartz
BB-8 wasn't solely Hader's responsibility, though. Parks and Rec actor Ben Schwartz also was listed as a vocal consultant, and on Instagram, called his work in the movie "the hardest and coolest secret I've ever had to keep."
4. Billie Lourd
The Scream Queens star — and Carrie Fisher's daughter — makes a cameo as a Lieutenant who realizes that Finn, Han Solo, and the others are about to storm the ship.
5. Greg Grunberg
Grunberg may not be a huge star, but thanks to J.J. Abrams, he's had a role in countless major projects, from Lost to Super 8 to, now, The Force Awakens.
6. Simon Pegg
The Star Trek actor actually has a decent-size role in the film, playing Unkar Plutt, the Jakku merchant who gives Rey food in exchange for the items she scavenges. A TFA featurette revealed Pegg in costume a few weeks before the movie's release, giving fans a glimpse at the characters they'd meet in the new film.
7. Warwick Davis
Davis, best known for his roles in the Harry Potter series, makes an appearance in the cantina scene. It's not his first time taking on Star Wars, though; way back in 1983, he played Wicket, an Ewok, in Return of the Jedi.
8. Judah Friedlander
The 30 Rock comedian also has a small role in the cantina scene, playing, according to IMDB, a "bar patron."
9. Thomas Brodie-Sangster
The former Love, Actually star is everywhere these days, from The Maze Runner to Game of Thrones to The Force Awakens, where he played one of several First Order Officers.
10. Ewan McGregor, Alec Guinness, And Frank Oz
Abrams revealed to EW that thanks to quick recording sessions (and in Guinness' case, some clever movie magic), the actors behind Obi-Won Kenobi and Yoda all lend their voices to the movie for a scene in which Rey flashbacks to her childhood.
Pretty cool, right? Perhaps there are even more cameos in the film that Abrams and the Star Wars team are keeping quiet; with the secrecy that's been behind this film so far, I certainly wouldn't put it past them.
Images: Walt Disney; Giphy