Ronan's audition isn't much of a shocker, as she was one of the first names to be rumored for the project back when rumors emerged that Abrams' was looking for a young female lead (Must likely the daughter of one of Luke Skywalker or Han and Leia). Ronan also mentioned that her auditioned involved her using a lightsaber, which all but confirms that there's likely a young female jedi character in the film. Ronan had the following to say when asked about the audition:
“Yeah, I did [audition for Star Wars Episode VII]… I don’t know whether I should have said that now! I mean, everyone did. Everyone has auditioned for it. So many people I know have gone in for the part I’ve gone in for, and guys who’ve gone in for a particular part, so I’d imagine J.J. is probably just scanning the earth to find the people that he needs.”
“But nobody has a clue what it’s about, and nobody’s read the script. So I’ve gone in and read for it, but I have to say, I think it’s the only time I’ve ever thought, ‘You know what? Even if I don’t get it, I had so much fun auditioning, pretending to take out a lightsaber – out of a bag, kind of inspect it and not know what it is. That was… that was great. A lightsaber! Star Wars!”
There's been numerous other female actresses around Ronan's age that been rumored to have read for a part including Ksenia Solo and Rachel Hurd-Wood, so it could be assumed that they're all up for the same role. While neither Solo nor Hurd-Wood have spoken out about whether they auditioned or not, Carrie and Kick-Ass 2 star Chloe Grace Moretz who was rumored to be up for a part has since denied her involvement via Twitter. So unless she's able to secure an audition in the coming months, there's one name you can cross off of the many people attached to the project.
Jordan's involvement comes as a bit more of a surprise, and although the widely acclaimed young star was bound to be a name Abrams and Disney would be eyeing, the actor's upcoming schedule seems pretty crowded. Just a few months ago it was announced he'd be re-teaming with his Fruitvale director for the lead in a Rocky spin-off film based off Apollo Creed's son pursuing a boxing career. He's been rumored for the role of Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot as well as the son of Will Smith's character in Roland Emmerich's sequel to Independence Day. None the less, Jordan has come up front and confirmed he's auditioned for Episode VII. The actor had the following to say on the possibility of landing a part in the upcoming film:
“I mean, everybody’s going in on this project. They’re trying to figure out what they want. That’s another incredible franchise. It’s pretty crazy! …We’ll see how it happens. I don’t know how I can do everything.”
“I mean, everybody’s going in on this project. They’re trying to figure out what they want. That’s another incredible franchise. It’s pretty crazy! …We’ll see how it happens. I don’t know how I can do everything.”
As for what role Jordan is up for, it's open to speculation at this point but popular guesses have been making to rounds that he could be playing a relative of a past Star Wars character most like that of Lando Calrissian's son, possibly even the grandson of Samuel L. Jackson's Mace Windu of the prequel trilogy, or of course an entirely new character. Back when Latino-Review had broke news of Jordan's audition, they also mentioned that actor David Oyelowo (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) also was up for a part in the film. While Oyelowo has yet to confirm if he hasn't or hasn't gone in for a part, his name has since been rumored for the voice cast of the upcoming cartoon series Star Wars Rebels, so I might've just been some confusion on just what Star Wars project he was attached to.
While numerous names have been thrown around for the project with no confirmation on the legitimacy of these rumors, the most prominent name going around has been that of Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness). While rumors of the actors involvement have gained traction since Abrams' has already worked with him, it had seemed the rumors were nothing more than speculation since Abrams' had denied Cumberbatch's involvement. Yet this week on an interview for the Graham Norton Show; which coincidentally featured Harrison Ford as well, when asked if they were set to star in the film both actors played coy rising suspicions that they are in fact going to be in the film. See for yourselves in the interview below:
There's still been no official confirmation on whether the original cast will be returning, although George Lucas himself has all but confirmed it. Yet, while Ford me just be joking around when station "He hasn't quite made the choice" this could be a sign that the actor is still hesitant to sign on for the project. It's must likely that Ford evaded any real Star Wars confirmation due to the fact that it'd sort of over shadow the real reason he was on the show; to promote his new film Ender's Game. We'll probably be hearing confirmation from Disney and Abrams soon as just who will be returning from the original cast for Episode VII. And in our final tidbit of Star Wars news, there's currently to rumored working titles circulating which are Return of the Sith and Rise of the Jedi, which could be added to the list of already rumored titles which includes A New Dawn. There's sure to be many other possible names thrown around before Abrams settles on an official one, so far now it's all strictly speculation.
So what do you think of Michael B. Jordan and Saoirse Ronan possibly being in Star Wars: Episode VII? Do you think Ford and Cumberbatch are actually in the movie?
