Star Wars Episode 7 Movie Cast News, Latest Rumors: JJ Abrams May Cast Unknown Maisie Richardson-Sellers for Film
The "Star Wars: Episode 7" movie cast may involve relatively unknown British actress Maisie Richardson-Sellers, as rumors, updates and latest news point to the Oxford student playing a descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Preliminary filming for Episode VII has already taken place, but major shooting is beginning next month on May 14.
"Star Wars: Episode 7" casting is underway, and the extended search for actors is taking place in London, with director JJ Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy at the helm. The latest installment of the popular science fiction films takes place 30 years after the events of "Star Wars: Episode III: Return of the Jedi," which will allow the descendant of Obi-Wan Kenobi to meet Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Several sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that [Richardson-Sellers] is in line to nab an undisclosed and possibly major role in the high-profile Disney/Lucasfilm production," they reported, adding that casting is "taking place under a cloak of secrecy."
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To see a picture of Richardson-Sellers, click here.
Though rumors say the British actress is being heavily considered because of the character description — "a young black or mixed-race woman who may be the descendant of Jedi Knight Ben Kenobi" — THR reported that she has not yet been offered the role officially. In addition, neither Richardson-Sellers nor Disney would comment on the speculation, which includes names like Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong'o and John Boyega for other roles.
Still, JJ Abrams has a history of casting unknown actors, like Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk in the recent "Star Trek" reboots and the obscure cast of "Super 8." While Richardson-Sellers has been featured in plays like "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide," "Mephisto" and "There Will Be Red," she has almost no film credits.
So far, Disney has only confirmed that R2D2 will be in the movie, but Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew and Carrie Fisher have all been forthright about their involvement in the expansion of the Star Wars universe.
Rumored locations for filming have been Morocco and Iceland, which could suggest revisits to the planets Tatooine and Hoth, respectively.
"Star Wars: Episode VII" is slated for release Dec. 18, 2015.
