With Star Wars: Episode VII having secured its villain in Girls star Adam Driver, Variety is reporting that several actors are now battling it out for the lead role in the eagerly-anticipated return to a galaxy far, far away. According to the site, Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Ed Speleers (Downton Abbey) and theatre actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher head J.J. Abrams’ wishlist for the lead.
Apparently, the original draft from Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) would have focussed on the offspring of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), although those characters are said to have been relegated to supporting roles in Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan’s rewrite, with the director wanting a more diversified cast. Instead, the lead role is said to be a Jedi apprentice, who will presumably be training under Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
What do you make of these latest names to be linked to Star Wars: Episode VII, and who would you like to see taking on the lead?
Originally published March 12, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
