Lupita Nyong'o has been cast in 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.

The Oscar-winning actress - who earned critical acclaim for playing tortured slave Patsey in '12 Years a Slave' - has joined the eagerly anticipated sci-fi sequel along with 'Game of Thrones' star Gwendoline Christie.

Producer and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement: ''I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII. It's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape.''

The two actresses join cast members old and new in the seventh 'Star Wars' film, which is directed by J.J. Abrams and currently in production in Abu Dhabi.

Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker are all back for the new film.

They will be joined by newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Max Von Sydow and Domhnall Gleeson.