How Gwendoline Christie Fought for a Role in Star Wars

2 minute read

Gwendoline Christie, who plays the villainous Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, didn’t wait to get a call about casting in the storied franchise. The Game of Thrones star decided to take matters into her own hands. Here’s a lightly edited transcript from a conversation about how she got the coveted part:

“I heard that they were going to make a new Star Wars film, and I was like a dog with a bone. I would not let it rest. And my agent at the time was saying, ‘Okay, what about you doing this, you’ve got a meeting for this.’ And I’d say, ‘Oh great! I want to be in Star Wars.’ And then they’d say, ‘Okay what about this?’ And I’d say, ‘I want to be in Star Wars.’ And then it got to the stage where every possible email I was sent I would respond, ‘Thank you very much. I want to be in Star Wars.’ Until finally I think I’d really worn some people down, and I believe a call was made to the casting director.”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters Dec. 18.

Read next:

  • Carrie Fisher on the Importance of Princess Leia Aging
  • Two New Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spots Focus on Kylo Ren’s Attack
  • The 10 Most Fascinating Star Wars: The Force Awakens Fan Theories
  • Rare Photos of George Lucas Behind the Scenes of Star Wars

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    George Lucas and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope in a galaxy far, far away.Lucasfilm
    Lucas gives direction to Sir Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) in Episode IV.Lucasfilm
    Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) sit around Lucas on the set of The Empire Strikes Back.Lucasfilm
    Lucas with Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), along with Hamill and Ford on the set of Episode IV.Lucasfilm
    Lucas directs Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin) and Carrie Fisher.Lucasfilm
    Harrison Ford and Lucas share a moment in Endor on the set of Return of the Jedi.Lucasfilm
    Lucas on set filming the opening scene of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.Lucasfilm
    Lucas reviews concept art for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.Lucasfilm
    Lucas inspects a model pod racer for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.Lucasfilm
    Lucas makes sure that the Death Star is fully armed and operational for Return of the Jedi.Lucasfilm
    Lucas holds up Jango Fett's helmet.Lucasfilm
    Natalie Portman (Queen Amidala) and Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) listen to Lucas' directions on the set of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.Lucasfilm
    Lucas directs a lightsaber battle between Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious) and Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu) on the set of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.Lucasfilm
    Lucas sets up camp next to a Bantha on the set of Episode IV.Lucasfilm
    Lucas finds the droid he was looking for.Lucasfilm

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    Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com