The Star Wars character of Mexican-Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o has finally been revealed, and she will be playing an alien with the name of Maz Kanata.

Based on the picture obtained by the Indie Revolver of Maz Kanata, it would appear that a lot of CGI effects would be needed to transform Nyong'o into the alien, who has an extremely long neck, a wide but flat face, and beady eyes.

It was earlier rumoured that the Star Wars character of Nyong'o would be called Rose, but now as Maz Kanata, she will be an alien pirate who has "Galactic travellers, smugglers, and other assorted riffraff" joining her in her castle.

Maz Kanata actually made an appearance already in Star Wars' second teaser trailer. She was seen handing over Luke Skywalker's original lightsaber to an unknown character, possibly his sister Princess Leia or Daisy Ridley's Rey.

While a lot of old actors will be reprising their roles for the franchise, there will still be a lot of new characters in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. They are Rey, John Boyega's Finn, Gwendoline Christie's Captain Phasma, and Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron.

As for the old characters, Harrison Ford will be reprising his role as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher will be back as Princess Leia, and Mark Hamill will once again be Luke Skywalker.

Meanwhile, Adam Driver will be taking on the role of their villain Kylo Ren.

The film will be directed by J.J. Abrams while he and Lawrence Kasdan will be working on the screenplay.

While they were filming, Ford sustained a minor leg injury after the Millenium Falcon fell on him, and Abrams even considers the accident as a blessing in disguise.

"In a weird way, it was the greatest gift to the movie that, once it was clear Harrison would be okay, the way that the crew came together. I've never seen a crew bonded like that," he told The Mirror UK. "And when Harrison came back, when I say he came back better and stronger than ever, I can't overstate that. There was a fire in his eyes that you see in the movie."

Abrams was said to be terrified to direct Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars, since he considers him "one of the great actors in film history," but he was very happy to see the actor eagerly take on the role.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been slated for release on December 18, 2015.