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Another day brings more fire to the incessant rumour pit that is Star Wars: Episode VII. We think we know quite a bit about the new film/series when in actual fact, to quote Game of Throne’s Ygritte: “you know nothing.” Well, not nothing. We, do know that (spoilers) R2-D2 is returning, and that the new film is set “about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi”. But that’s about it.
With filming imminent, concrete casting is surely about to be announced. We’ve been given a simple teaser: a new trio of young leads, and some very familiar faces.
The Trio
Pretty much every single actor under the sun has been tied to the new film in some way but none of those rumours particularly excited quite like the rumours circulating about Lupita Nyong’o, who recently won an Academy Award for her stunning feature length debut in 12 Years A Slave. If she takes one of the central roles I will be extremely happy. She has already shown how capable an actress she is, outshining Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Benedict Cumberbatch, to steal every scene she starred in. Casting such as her’s would give the new Star Wars film some real credence.
As for other names touted, we have the previously mentioned Cumberbatch, Zac Efron (just no, enough said), Gary Oldman, Judi Dench and Adam Driver. Cumberbatch and Oldman would both be perfect but I personally want some new, or newish, actors to take the other central roles in order to make the new trilogy their own. Whilst not suited to one of the young central roles, Oldman would be perfect elsewhere, and Driver has been linked with a different role entirely (which I’ll get to in a moment).
So else who could take up the roles? With filming taking place in England, Matt Smith could perfectly wield a lightsaber, along with other youngsters such as Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson or Kristen Stewart (joke, seriously, cast her and the film is doomed).
It’s all pure speculation at the moment, and I’m sure we all have dream cast lists. But for now, speculation is all we have. And speculation is rife.
The Returnees
I must stress spoilers shall follow from this point forth. Well, I say spoilers, more rumours, mixed with the tiniest grains of truth.
R2-D2 is the first confirmed character to return in the new trilogy, and I’d prepare to bet that C-3PO will join his friend for more adventures in a galaxy far, far away.
As for others, we have the heavily rumoured return of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprising their roles of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia respectively. Again, I’d be very surprised if they didn’t appear at some point, after all Fisher hasn’t exactly been coy at her involvement. I guess she didn’t have to sign a confidentiality agreement or anything. I expect their roles to be reduced, but still important to the overall story. Every fan is going to swoon when Luke wields his lightsaber again, when Han makes some sarcastic comment, or when Leia dons her metal bikini… okay, maybe not that one.
Alongside these I predict Chewbacca returning. I think if the other three return, this goes without saying. Billy Dee Williams has also been linked with reprising his role of Lando Calrissian, so don’t be surprised to see him pop up somewhere.
Perhaps surprisingly Samuel L. Jackson has said he’d love to return, although you have to ask how, along with Ewan McGregor. Ewan, I get, but they’re going to have to make him look extremely like Alec Guinness, otherwise don’t bother. Also – ghost Obi-Wan or no Obi-Wan at all. He’s dead. Don’t resurrect him. Ian McDiarmid has also been touted to return, to somehow possess the mind of a new Sith-Lord (Driver’s rumoured role). Now this is one rumour that I am excited about. Yes please, Palpatine is Star Wars for me.
There is just one character I don’t want to return and that is Vader. He died over 30 years ago so leave him dead. We need a new evil to threaten the galaxy far, far away.
So there we have it. We know next-to-nothing, but at the same time speculation is rife. Casting will be unveiled imminently, so don’t be surprised to see some of your old favourites return.
