Lupita Nyong'o has gained recognition for her Academy Award-winning performance in 2013's "12 Years a Slave." The Mexican-Kenyan actress continues to rise to prominence, as she is now set to appear in the upcoming installment of the "Star Wars" popular franchise.

Nyong'o will portray the motion-capture character Maz Kanata in J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." According to the 32-year-old movie star, she is grateful to be offered a part in the highly-anticipated flick.

"To be able to have that experience and the continuation of Han Solo, and Luke, and Leia's journey is really a blessing, to be able to play a small part in that," Nyong'o said, as quoted by Entertainment Weekly.

"Star Wars" is a part of Nyong'o's three-movie deal with Disney, which includes the live-action remake of "The Jungle Book" and "Queen of Katwe," Entertainment Weekly wrote. Nyong'o will play Raksha, Mowgli's lupine maternal figure, in "The Jungle Book.

"Queen of Katwe" is based on the real life story of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. Nyong'o will play the role of Mutesi's African mother, Entertainment Weekly wrote.

"It's a really magical - and real - story about a girl who had a dream to be a chess master, and through hard work and just complete commitment to it, she went against all odds and achieved that," Nyong'o said of "Queen of Katwe," as reported by the news outlet.

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' News

Legendary poster artist Drew Struzan, who was involved in previous "Star Wars" films since the saga began, has talked about "The Force Awakens" and assured fans that the movie will not disappoint. Struzan worked on the upcoming flick's poster that was shown at the D23 Expo 2015 this month, SlashFilm wrote.

"I got to read the script and subsequently I've seen half of it and I can tell you and the fans this, Honest to god, it is far and away probably going to be THE BEST 'Star Wars' you've ever seen . . . Well it's beautifully made and it's a wonderful story," Struzan gushed, as quoted by SlashFilm.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will open in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. The film stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker reprising their roles from the original trilogy, ComingSoon.net listed.

Newcomers include Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), John Boyega (Finn), Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), and Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma). Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Crystal Clarke, Pip Anderson, Christina Chong, and Miltos Yerolemou also have roles in the upcoming movie, ComingSoon.net added.