Star Wars fans showed up in full force Friday to welcome a new character, Rose, at the Star Wars Celebration event in Orlando, Florida
The announcement was made at the Star Wars: The Last Jedi panel, where it was revealed that actress Kelly Marie Tran will portray the new addition to the franchise.
“[She] has the biggest new part in the movie and ironically is played by the smallest actor,” director Rian Johnson said while introducing the actress, according to Business Insider.
Tran, an Asian American comedian who is known for online digital shorts, said she was a Star Wars fan before securing the role — and had to keep it a secret from her family.
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“They didn’t know for four months,” she reportedly said. “I told them I was doing an indie movie in Canada. At one point, I actually got some maple syrup so I could bring it back to them so they actually thought I was in Canada.”
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It’s unclear if Tran’s comedic roots will take hold in her latest role, but the Johnson did specify that Rose isn’t a soldier.
“She’s not looking to be a hero, and she gets pulled a very big way into an adventure in this movie with Finn [John Boyega],” Johnson reportedly said.
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“She’s part of the Resistance, and she works in maintenance. I can’t wait for you to meet her,” Tran added.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens December 15, 2017. Watch the trailer below.
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