Star Wars: Episode VII Looks To Add A 40-Something Military Type

By Rudie Obias | Published 10 years ago

With production on Star Wars: Episode VII set to begin next spring in London, J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy are busy trying to cast the new installment in the Star Wars Saga. An open casting call has hit the Internet as Bad Robot and Lucasfilm scour the Earth for the right actors for Episode VII. We’ve heard vague descriptions for the would-be main roles in the film, but now some new details have emerged, which points to another potential new character.

According to THR, Abrams and Kennedy are looking for actors in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Abrams and Kasdan’s new additions to the film’s screenplay suggest that the new film will feature a 40-something military-type male. The character is described as a Matt Damon-type from Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium. Apparently, the studios are looking for a bald ex-criminal that is dying of cancer, but can totally kick ass in an awesome mechanical exoskeleton.

The article didn’t mention whether or not this new addition to the screenplay, but it’s interesting to see that a “military-type” character will factor into the new film. Does Episode VII take place in a post-war galaxy far, far away? Could this role go to Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was recently rumored to be up for a part?

A few weeks ago, word leaked that Star Wars was looking for a female actors to play “Rachel,” a beautiful, smart, and athletic female around 17 or 18 years old, and “Thomas,” a smart, handsome, athletic 19-23 year old, who also needs to be capable and courageous. Is this part connected to those roles?

Abrams talked to MTV about the upcoming release date for Episode VII. There was some speculation that the new film couldn’t be delivered on time if Star Wars came out during the summer of 2015, so Disney compromised with Lucasfilm for a Christmas 2015 release date. Traditionally, all the Star Wars movies have been released during Memorial Day weekend. Episode VII will be the first Star Wars movie not to follow that pattern. The director feels that the project is in a better situation now, explaining:

I will say that it’s infinitely a better situation now than when [Disney] were saying they wanted it in summer,” J.J. Abrams says of the December 18, 2015 release date. “Before I even came onto the project, [Disney] was talking about 2015, and they made this announcement very early on. Which I understand why they would want that, but it didn’t necessarily have anything to do with the reality of where was creatively. So I think that it’s hugely important things that that come first. And a release date, great, but you have to release something great. So, to me the new release date is a huge improvement.

All the pieces are slowly, but surely coming together for production to begin next year. Lucasfilm has a few more months to deliver a worthwhile movie. Let’s just hope it’s a great one.

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