--- description: "I heard that they were going to make a new Star Wars film, and I was like a do with a bone" title: How Gwendoline Christie Fought for a Role in 'Star Wars' image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf534bcecead1b91e/69885a808e060178bc46158a/gettyimages-480327660.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # How Gwendoline Christie Fought for a Role in _Star Wars_  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Nov 30, 2015 9:31 PM CUT  Actress Gwendoline Christie speaks onstage at the "Game of Thrones" panel during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. Actress Gwendoline Christie speaks onstage at the "Game of Thrones" panel during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California.FilmMagic—FilmMagic  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Nov 30, 2015 9:31 PM CUT 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: --- > “” --- _Star Wars: The Force Awakens_ hits theaters Dec. 18. **Read next:** * [Carrie Fisher on the Importance of Princess Leia Aging](http://time.com/4124142/princess-leia-age/ "undefined") * [Two New _Star Wars: The Force Awakens_ TV Spots Focus on Kylo Ren’s Attack](http://time.com/4129116/star-wars-the-force-awakens-tv-spots/ "undefined") * [The 10 Most Fascinating _Star Wars: The Force Awakens_ Fan Theories](http://time.com/4116403/star-wars-force-awakens-fan-theories/ "undefined") ### Rare Photos of George Lucas Behind the Scenes of Star Wars  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. 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