With Adam Driver apparently locked into the villain role for Star Wars: Episode VII, director J.J. Abrams is now setting his sight on casting the part of the central protagonist, rumored to be a Jedi apprentice. Abrams met with Breaking Bad star Jesse Plemons last year, and according to Variety he’s still at the top of the list, along with Ed Speelers (Downton Abbey), John Boyega (Attack the Block), and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.
The industry trade also says that it’s unclear if the character will be related to Han Solo or Luke Skywalker – Michael Arndt’s original draft centered on the Solo children, but new reports say that the revised script has pushed them into a supporting role. There’s also the question of ethnicity:
Sources also indicate the reason for the delay has to do whether execs and creatives want someone of a different ethnicity from the previous Caucasian leads. Abrams has said on numerous occasions that he wants to have a diversified cast, which is why actors like David Oyelowo and Michael B. Jordan tested early on.
It’s a shame that Michael B. Jordan was passed over for this one, as I think he has the right amount of talent and charisma to carry a franchise such as this. In any case, we should be hearing some official announcements soon – Star Wars: Episode VII begins shooting next month.
disney j.j. abrams lucasfilm star wars star wars episode vii