20th Century Fox Film
Hi, Nancy.
Hi, Helen.
What’s the story, morning glory?
What’s the word, hummingbird?
Have you heard about Hugo and Kim? They were cast in Star Wars: Episode VII, although there’s no confirmation just yet. I think Kim’s playing Bib Fortuna.
That’s pretty much what the last year and change has felt like — rumors upon rumors upon rumors of who might be cast in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming addition to the Star Wars series. We’ve heard tell of Clone War veterans reuniting for the film, blockbuster fixtures like Gary Oldman and Andy Serkis, rising indie mavens drawing notice from their turns in Coen Bros dramas and HBO series. But the waiting is over. Courtesy of TheWrap, we have official news of the 12 performers cast to headline the next Star Wars movie. Here’s who they are, where you might know them from, and what we can expect from them in the new film.
Mark Hamill
Best known as: Luke Skywalker, power converter spendthrift and daddy issues-haver.
Age: 62.
In the new movie: We know very little of what Hamill will be brought on to do in the upcoming film, though with his standing as the Original Trilogy’s central hero and his family rallied at the head of this story (presumably), we imagine that Hamill will have a good amount to do.
Carrie Fisher
Best known as: Princess Leia Organa, rigid adversary of the nerf herder lobby.
Age: 57.
In the new movie: We’ve been told, in only the most tenuous terms, that Star Wars: Episode VII will focus on Han and Leia’s kids. So even if she and Ford are sidelined as the parental figures who’ve seen it all before (hey, it’s kind of like that new Boy Meets World spinoff), then they’ll likely be around for a healthy sum.
Harrison Ford
Best known as: Han Solo, alleged Kessel Run record holder and reformed atheist.
Age: 71
In the new movie: On top of the above, new rumors allow that Ford will have a pretty significant role in the new film. Considering his latter days screen presence, we imagine something in the vein of an extended carbonite nap. A few are actually predicting that Han might bite the dust in VII.
Peter Mayhew
Best known as: Chewbacca, devoted Life Day celebrant and family man.
Age: 69 (though that’s only like, 14 in Wookiee years).
In the new movie: Some people are already pretty livid that Chewbacca’s in the film at all, considering his death in the Expanded Universe, but you don’t bring out the Wookiee suit just to have him play canasta.
Anthony Daniels
Best known as: C-3PO, buzzkill.
Age: 68.
In the new movie: I don’t know, probably a lot of kvetching.
Kenny Baker
Best known as: R2-D2, frequent film extra and Robot Hall of Fame inductee.
Age: 79.
In the new movie: Doot beep beeeooo doot.
Oscar Isaac
Best known as: The titular misanthropic folk musician in the Coen Brothers’ 2013 film Inside Llewyn Davis.
Age: 35.
In the new movie: Isaac’s role is anyone’s guess at this point, although two call-outs in a casting release from last year speak to his nature. He might be playing “a late 20-something male. Fit, handsome, and confident,” or, more likely, “a 30-something male, intellectual. Apparently does not need to be fit.”
Adam Driver
Best known as: Adam, the Lena Dunham’s oddball love interest on the HBO dramedy Girls, or the space cowboy from Inside Llewyn Davis.
Age: 30.
In the new movie: Rumors surrounding Driver’s initial mention in regard to the film had him pegged to be the villain. We had some fun with that one.
Andy Serkis
Best known as: Gollum from The Lord of the Rings movies.
Age: 50.
In the new movie: Considering his mo-cap history, Serkis is probably playing an alien. And that’s awesome.
Max von Sydow
Best known as: Blofeld in Never Say Never Again, the older priest in The Exorcist, or the guy from all those Ingmar Bergman films.
Age: 85.
In the new movie: Last fall’s casting call advertised the film’s search for “a 70-something male with strong opinions and a tough demeanor,” exempting the necessity for physical fitness. We can’t get more specific than this but it seems like von Sydow is going to be taking on some kind of authoritarian position. Maybe at the Academy (training the Solo kids, per chance), or as the penny-pinching new owner of the Cantina.
Domhnall Gleeson
Best known as: Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movies, or the fellow from About Time.
Age: 30.
In the new movie: Gleeson could rival Isaac in either of the character descriptions mentioned above, though he does seem more the intellectual type (if only for the British accent).
John Boyega
Best known as: The kid from Attack the Block.
Age: 22.
In the new movie: Boyega could be playing the character Thomas that was advertised in a casting call last year:
“Young man to play 19-23 years old. Must be handsome, smart and athletic. Must be 18 or over. Has grown up without a father’s influence. Without the model of being a man, he doesn’t have the strongest sense of himself. Despite this, he is smart, capable and shows courage when it is needed. He can appreciate the absurdities in life and understands you can’t take life too seriously.”
Daisy Ridley
She’s pretty new.
Age: I don’t know — 20?
In the new movie: Could be Rachel, who was introduced in the same casting call:
“Young woman to play 17-18 Years old. Must be beautiful, smart and athletic. Open to all ethnicities (including bi- and multi-racial). Must be 16 or over. Was quite young when she lost her parents. With no other family, she was forced to make her way alone in a tough, dangerous town. Now 17 she has become street smart and strong. She is able to take care of herself using humor and guts to get by. Always a survivor, never a victim, she remains hopeful that she can move away from this harsh existence to a better life. She is always thinking of what she can do to move ahead.”
So there you have it: still a whole lot of grey area! But at least we know something!
