Rumors as to who will star in Star Wars: Episode VII have been swirling for the better part of a year, but a new report suggests the field of candidates has shrunk.
At the tail of last month it was revealed that Adam Driver would play the lead villain in Star Wars: Episode VII. It was seemingly confirmed by his Girls co-star Lena Dunham, but Disney has yet to make an official announcement.
There have still been no official casting announcements yet, though we do know that R2-D2 will be in the film. Sadly, there still has been no announcement on companion C-3PO.
Today, Variety is reporting that writer/director J.J. Abrams has a shortlist for whoever will take on the lead role in the film. The shortlist reportedly includes Ed Speleers, John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas, and Ray Fisher. Variety had these actors confirmed to them by multiple sources, but they do say that some industry insiders warn that the search is still ongoing.
It’s not knowm what role exactly these five are competing for or if they’re even competing against each other for the same role. A role could seemingly include a child of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia Solo(?), or Lando Calrissian. A role could also be completely unrelated.
Actor Breakdown
Ed Speleers
Speleers is perhaps best known for his current role of Jimmy Kent on Downton Abbey. Speleers’ character is a footman at the titular abbey. Speelers broke into the acting business as the lead in the failed Eragon film.
John Boyega
Boyega is best known for his lead role in the Joe Cornish-written and -directed alien invasion film Attack the Block. He’s had roles in other movies (many of them made for TV), but none of them have been as big as the aforementioned.
Jesse Plemons
Plemons is best known lately for his villainous role on the final season of Breaking Bad, and previously he starred in Friday Night Lights, Battleship, and Paul. He’s certainly the best known name on this shortlist, but he’s a name that most people wouldn’t know. Plemons has been rumored for the role previously, and that bizarrly hasn’t hurt him.
Matthew James Thomas
James Thomas has been on and off the screen with roles including a part in Billy Elliot, but the majority of his acting career has been on stage. He’s had lead roles in both Pippin and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
Ray Fisher
Fisher is another actor who has worked primarily on stage, notably in Fetch Clay, Make Man where he played a young Muhammad Ali.