Variety broke the news last night (August 28) that Matt Smith has been cast in a "key role" in Star Wars: Episode IX, meaning we might finally be about to find out which is best: a sonic screwdriver or a light saber.

Needless to say, the news has got fans of both universes very excited indeed, including some pretty famous names:

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Matt will join the returning cast of Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Billie Lourd, and Mark Hamill, as well as Star Wars veterans Billy Dee Williams, who'll reprise his role of Lando Calrissian, and Carrie Fisher, whose character General Leia will appear in the film in some form, despite her untimely death in 2016.

The names of other recently announced new cast members had already sent fans into a spin wondering which characters they'll play and how they'll slot into the saga. They include Richard E. Grant, who we hope will be stumbling across the galaxy in search of "the finest wines available to humanity," Withnail & I style; Dominic Monaghan, who reunites with his Lost director J.J. Abrams; Keri Russell (The Americans), and newcomer Naomi Ackie, who popped up in Doctor Who episode "Face the Raven."

But Matt coming onboard is the most surprising casting news yet. Just who he'll play is unclear, though this hasn't stopped fans hazarding guesses — from an imperious baddie to some kind of evil, plunger-armed droid or a quirky Jedi (hey, we think those robes could take a bowtie).

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Production on the final Star Wars installment is currently underway in England, with a view to it being released just before Christmas 2019. The whole Star Wars ennealogy (that's a series of nine films, word fans) is set to wrap up with this movie, meaning the rebels will for the final time meet — and presumably overcome — the evil empire.

Let's just say there are a lot of loose threads to tie up in one film, so it would make sense if a certain police box appeared out of nowhere at the end.

https://twitter.com/studioexec1/status/1034532687804018688

Do you think Matt will feel the force or go to the dark side?