There was widespread disappointment at the lack of screen time for Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma in Star Wars: The Force Awakens – especially after all the hype.

But Star Wars fans will now get to see more of the character, as Gwendoline is set to return for the next film.

Gwendoline ChristieGwendoline Christie (Jordan Strauss/AP)

 

Confirming for the first time her return to the role, she told People magazine: “I will be in the next Star Wars movie.”

The Game of Thrones actress was super psyched to join the film franchise reboot in the first place.

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 JJ 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.”

Star Wars actresses Gwendoline Christie and Lupita Nyong'oStar Wars actresses Gwendoline Christie and Lupita Nyong’o (Jesse Grant/Getty)

 

Captain Phasma’s costume is not hyper-feminised, something which Gwendoline definitely appreciated.

She said: “I thought the costume was incredibly striking. I also just liked this notion of a female stormtrooper.

“I felt it encouraged diversity and it was doing something new and it was an interesting bit of casting for women, and I hope that in something that was such a mainstream success it would breed more of those kind of opportunities for other women.”

Captain Phasma on the red carpet Captain Phasma on the red carpet (Getty)

 

Captain Phasma’s future in the film franchise was in question, as last time we saw the stormtrooper leader she had apparently been thrown down a garbage chute.

But she apparently survived – and is hopefully set for a larger role.

In an interview with LA Times, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said: “She’s an important character, a baddie in the best sense of the word.”