The Latest Episode VII Casting Rumors Center On David Oyelowo And Michael B. Jordan
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Recently, we’ve seen a heavy flood of Star Wars casting rumors. Benedict Cumberbatch, Saoirse Ronan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Rachel Hurd-Wood, and Alex Pettyfer have all been linked to unspecified roles in the upcoming
At the center of these latest Star Wars rumors, as usual, is Latino Review, who now reports that David Oyelowo and Michael B. Jordan are taking meetings with director J.J. Abrams. While it’s unclear if they’re up for the same role, it’s believed that one of them might play the son of Lando Calrissian. Does this mean Billy Dee Williams would be in the new film too?
Oyelowo can currently be seen in Lee Daniels’ The Butler co-starring with Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey. He also appeared in Daniels’ The Paperboy in 2012, as well as Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011. So he has some background in the science fiction genre. Jordan recently received critical acclaim for his turn in the indie drama Fruitvale Station, while he also gained recognition in the found-footage superhero movie Chronicle. Jordan has also been linked to the part of Johnny Storm, AKA The Human Torch, in the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. Both Oyelowo and Jordan have acting chops and charisma, so if either, or both, end up in Episode VII, it will only help the movie.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Abrams talked about his approach to making Star Wars: Episode VII. Without divulging any plot details or revealing who will be in the new film, he spoke about the film’s overall tone. In short, he wants the movie to feel real. Abrams explained:
We all know that [creator George Lucas’] dream has become almost a religion to some people. I remember reading a thing somewhere, someone wrote about just wanting [the new film] to feel real; to feel authentic. I remember I felt that way when I was 11 years old when I saw the first one. As much of a fairy tale as it was, it felt real. And to me, that is exactly right.
Does this mean Star Wars won’t have any lens flares? Abrams was asked to compare the new film with a movie already in the Saga. He didn’t name a certain film, but you can imagine Star Wars: Episode VII would be something like The Phantom Menace, in terms of introducing a new world with both new characters and familiar ones.
Ronan was most recent actor reportedly linked to the new Star Wars film. As usual, there are no specifics, but some believe that she might play Han Solo and Princess Leia’s daughter or the movie’s female villain. Cumberbatch continues to deny any involvement in the new film, but the rumors surrounding the 37-year-old Brit persist. Reports explain that Cumberbatch would have a smaller role in the first film of the new trilogy, but that his part would expand over the next two movies.
Star Wars: Episode VII hits theaters everywhere sometime in 2015.
