Billie Lourd, offspring of actress Carrie Fisher and CAA co-chairman Bryan Lourd, is ready for her closeup.
The 22-year-old is joining the family business with an acting career of her own, starting with a slew of upcoming projects like J.J. Abrams‘ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and Fox’s much-anticipated horror-comedy series “Scream Queens.”
Her parents discouraged her from an on-camera career, she admitted. “My whole life, they said, ‘Do not act. You need to get a college degree,'” she said. “I went to performing arts camp, secretly taking classes — I got the lead in the musical, and my dad was like, ‘Wait, I thought you were going here for music and knitting.'”
Lourd earned a degree from NYU last year, but pursued her secret dream nonetheless — landing a part in the very franchise that made her mother a star decades ago.
“This is the first job I’ve ever had — right into the fire,” Lourd told Interview of the top-secret “Star Wars” project. While she declined to share details about her character, she was quick to shoot down rumors linking her to Fisher’s iconic Princess Leia, who will also return in the new film.
Lourd is currently in production on Ryan Murphy’s “Scream Queens,” about a pack hellish sorority girls who fall victim to a string of campus murders. She co-stars with Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin and Nick Jonas.
“It’s scary,” Lourd said of the series, “but there’s a lot of comedic breaks.”
“Scream Queens” premieres this fall on Fox. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” starring Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Andy Serkis, opens Christmas Day.
TheWrap's 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015: From 'Fifty Shades' to 'Star Wars' and 'Spectre'
"The Last Five Years"
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Anna Kendrick continues her streak of musical roles with this big-screen adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's beloved Off-Broadway hit. "Smash" alum Jeremy Jordan co-stars. Trailer
Radius-TWC
"Fifty Shades of Grey"
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson's characters are set to become the next cinematic power couple in this highly anticipated adaptation of E.L. James' "mommy porn" hit. Trailer
Focus Features
"In the Heart of the Sea"
Release Date: March 13, 2015
Chris Hemsworth plays dashing first mate aboard the Essex, the real ship attacked by a giant whale that inspired literary classic "Moby Dick." Trailer
"Furious 7"
Release Date: April 3, 2015
Paul Walker rides one last time with Vin Diesel and his "Fast and Furious" family. We're eager to see how they say goodbye to Brian O'Conner. Trailer
Universal
"Avengers: Age of Ultron"
Release Date: May 1, 2015
The Avengers return -- much to everyone's delight. Admit it, including yours. Trailer
Marvel/Disney
"Pitch Perfect 2"
Release Date: May 15, 2015
Aca-awesome, the Barden Bellas are back! This time the a cappella troupe competes against international singers. High jinks ensue on a global scale. Trailer
"Mad Max: Fury Road"
Release Date: May 15, 2015
Its Comic-Con panel blew the roof off the place, and Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult look completely off the chain in the franchise's latest installment. Trailer
Warner Bros
"Tomorrowland"
Release Date: May 22, 2015
Brad Bird's highly secretive and highly anticipated project stars George Clooney as an inventor and rising star Britt Robertson as a teen who gets transported ... somewhere. Trailer
Disney
"Jurassic World"
Release Date: June 12, 2015
It's been way too long since there's been a "Jurassic Park" movie, and the franchise seems to be in extremely capable hands led by star Chris Pratt, who's proving to be our new favorite action hero. Trailer
Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello in a sequel to the stripping sleeper hit "Magic Mike" that's subtitled "Double Extra Large." So, yeah, we're excited. Look out for new cast and cameos in Amber Heard, Elizabeth Banks and Donald Glover.
Warner Bros.
"Ant-Man"
Release Date: July 17, 2015
Marvel rarely misses a step, and their latest stars unlikely superhero Paul Rudd -- who pretty much guarantees cinematic hilarity. Trailer
We have not seen a single still, behind-the-scenes photo or frame of video, but with Josh Trank ("Chronicle") directing this cast, we're betting Fox gets "Fantastic Four" right this time.
"Bond 24" no more, Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and the whole gang are back for one more James Bond romp, welcoming newcomers Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci.
Getty Images
"The Martian"
Release Date: Nov. 25, 2015
It's described as a cross between "Gravity" and "Castaway" and stars Matt Damon with Ridley Scott directing. Everything about "The Martian" screams prestige.
David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence are back together once again, which means it's time for another wacky, outlandish, probably Oscar-nominated film, this time about the inventor of Miracle Mop.
Getty Images
"Sicario"
Release Date: TBD
Denis Villeneuve is on a roll after the one-two punch of "Enemy" and "Prisoners" and this follow-up, starring Emily Blunt as a DEA agent, seems plenty promising.
Getty Images
"Southpaw"
Release Date: TBD
Following "Nightcrawler," Jake Gyllenhaal is on quite a hot streak and totally transformed himself (again) to play a boxer in Antoine Fuqua's latest gritty drama.
"Snowtown" director Justin Kurzel does a revisionist take Shakespeare's classic with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. This one is a no-brainer.
Weinstein Copmany
"Beasts of No Nation"
Release Date: TBD
Cary Fukunaga returns to features after an incredible run on HBO's "True Detective," and he's bringing Idris Elba with him, making this a must-watch on so many levels.
Focus Features
"Dark Places"
Release Date: TBD
Amazing "Gone Girl" raised anticipation for "Dark Places," also based on a Gillian Flynn bestseller. Add Oscar-winner Charlize Theron as another dangerous and mysterious anti-heroine, and we can't wait to peel back the layers.
A24
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Two Anna Kendrick musicals, Paul Walker’s final ”Fast and Furious“ and 22 more movies we can’t wait to see
"The Last Five Years"
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2015
Anna Kendrick continues her streak of musical roles with this big-screen adaptation of Jason Robert Brown's beloved Off-Broadway hit. "Smash" alum Jeremy Jordan co-stars. Trailer