Among the ways the new Star Wars movies have distinguished themselves from their predecessors is by inserting celebrity cameos, even if you don't recognize these individuals. Supposedly Star Wars: Episode IX is keeping that tradition going, as a new report says that Ed Sheeran will be popping up in a galaxy far, far away.
Before any Ed Sheehan fans get too excited about seeing his face out in the open, according to The Sun, the singer/occasional actor is suiting up as a stormtrooper. Ed Sheehan has reportedly been seen at Pinewood Studios, where Star Wars: Episode IX has been shooting since August. While this information is hardly official, it certainly would fall in line with how previous celebrities have been inserted within the Star Wars universe.
In 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Daniel Craig cameoed as the stormtrooper who Rey used the Jedi mind trick on to escape Kylo Ren's custody. Composer Michael Giacchino and record producer Nigel Godrich also donned the First Order white armor in the same movie. As for 2017's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Tom Hardy and Princes William and Harry all filmed scenes as stormtroopers, although their scenes were removed from the final cut.
Obviously there have been plenty of other types of cameos within the recent Star Wars movies, but it would definitely make sense for Ed Sheehan to put on stormtrooper armor. He's one of the world's most well-known music stars, so while plenty of folks would certainly be glad to see his face in this franchise filled with colorful aliens and laser swords, it's more amusing to hide him in plain sight as a stormtrooper, just like the top-tier actors before him.
As far as Ed Sheeran previous acting experience goes, arguably his biggest appearance was playing a Lannister solider in an episode of Game of Thrones last year. He also appeared in five episodes of Bastard Executioner, guest-starred on an episode of The Simpsons and will be one of the main actors in Danny Boyle's still-to-be-titled film next year, which also stars Lily James, Kate McKinnon and Himesh Patel, among others.
Looking to Star Wars: Episode IX as a whole, as has become the norm, Disney and Lucasfilm are keeping quiet on plot details. The main cast, on the other hand, has been fully unveiled, and along with most of the characters from The Last Jedi returning, the final entry of the Skywalker Saga is also bringing in Naomie Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Dominic Monaghan and Matt Smith, though none of their characters have been identified. Billy Dee Williams will also return as Lando Calrissian, more than 25 years after he co-starred in Return of the Jedi (although he did voice Lando in a few episodes of Star Wars Rebels.
Star Wars: Episode IX opens in theaters on December 20, 2019, so keep checking back with CinemaBlend for continuing coverage. In the meantime, you can look through our Star Wars movies guide to learn what other projects are in development for this franchise, or you can check out our 2019 release schedule to figure out what other movies are coming out next year.
