If you've ever wondered what's under the helmet of a Stormtrooper, the new Star Wars trilogy is sure to provide some answers-- considering all the celebrities who have worn the First Order armor for the films. Looks like Star Wars: Episode IX will be no exception, since celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is reportedly suiting up as a Stormtrooper for the next installment.
According to The Sun, the popular English cook has been on the set of Episode IX at Pinewood Studios, training with the other Stormtroopers for the role. Jamie Oliver was offered the honor of having the hidden-in-plain-sight part after producers learned of his experience as a Stormtrooper.
Back in 2015, the chef dressed in a trooper costume to walk his teen daughters Poppy and Daisy to school and wore the costume again at his son's 5th birthday the same year and posted them to Instagram. That's already quite the resume of Stormtrooper antics, so we shouldn't be surprised he was invited to the galaxy far, far away.
Jamie Oliver isn't the first celebrity Stormtrooper announced to be on Episode IX. A couple weeks ago, pop star Ed Sheeran was also reportedly seen at Pinewood Studios preparing for a cameo as a Stormtrooper too. The British talents would also follow a role held by Daniel Craig, who played the Stormtrooper who Rey plays Jedi tricks on in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Composer Michael Giacchino and record producer Nigel Godrich also played Stormtroopers in Force Awakens and for The Last Jedi, Tom Hardy, Prince William and Harry also suited up in the white armor for a cameo. Unfortunately, their footage was cut from the final film.
This Star Wars tradition is an ironic one, since celebrity cameos usually mean actually seeing the household names' faces. It's clever too, because seeing Ed Sheeran and Jamie Oliver amidst the events of Episode IX would certainly be distracting.
Jamie Oliver was offered a cameo in The Hobbit films years ago by Peter Jackson, in exchange for the chef to craft a special dinner for his 50th birthday. However, Oliver had to turn Jackson down due to scheduling conflicts, much to the personality's devastation. He luckily gets a second chance to be a part of the iconic fantasy franchise, though most likely won't know it when audiences watch it next year.
Celebrities left and right have expressed their interest in appearing in the Star Wars films, and since the upcoming installment is said to be the series closer to the Skywalker saga, it's special to be a part of it. For example, Tom Hanks asked to cameo as a Stormtrooper in Solo: A Star Wars Story, but wasn't able to make it to set.
Moviegoers, you still have some time to kill before Episode IX comes to theaters on December 20, 2019 -- why not check out what the rest of the upcoming year has in store and check out our 2019 movie release date schedule.
