Gwendoline Christie says she will return for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'.

Star Wars

Star Wars

Christie played new character Captain Phasma in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' and has confirmed she will reprise the role in the next installment of the science-fiction franchise.

She said: "I will be in the next Star Wars movie. I think that's an exclusive, actually."

And speaking about her bid for the role in episode seven, she said: "I was very overexcited. I made no secret of the fact that I really campaigned for the part for a long time. And then I was delighted when J.J. Abrams wanted to have me in the film and then wanted to cast me in this role that had originally been designed for a man."

Filming on 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' has started however Disney announced last month that the film - which was originally scheduled for release in summer 2017 - has been pushed back to be released in December 15 2017.

Nearly all of the main cast from the previous film return for the Rian Johnson directed installment.

Mark Hamill's character Luke Skywalker is set to have a prominent role in the sequel, while Daisy Ridley is returning as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, and Adam Driver will be donning his black mask and hood again as villain Kylo Ren.