Curse of the Chupacabra

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Star Wars News Update 7.2

Get ready for two brand new characters in that galaxy far, far away.

A Disney casting call has "Star Wars" watchers abuzz after all but revealing two lead characters in the upcoming, hugely anticipated follow-up to 1983's "Return of the Jedi."  So, who are these new "Star Wars" players, you ask? They're young, in their late teens, and they've both endured childhood parental absence.

While the Disney casting notice doesn't name the film's title outright, Yahoo Movies and other outlets have connected the dots, and they form a big arrow pointing to J.J. Abrams's "Star Wars: Episode VII," set to open in 2015. (You see, these castings are being conducted around England — where "Episode VII" is the only Disney film in pre-production.)

"Rachel," a probable pseudonym, is the young woman's role. Her requirements include beauty, intelligence, athleticism, and she must be over 16 years old. And if you think she could be the daughter of one of the "Return of the Jedi" leading characters — like Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, or Princess Leia — think again. Disney is open to "all ethnicities (including bi- and multi-racial)," indicating this may not be the daughter of the aforementioned Caucasian characters.

But then again, you never know. Are we going to discover that one of the three aforementioned "Star Wars" characters has died?

"Rachel was quite young when she lost her parents," according to the casting sheet. "With no other family, she was forced to make her way in a tough, dangerous town. Now 17 she has become street smart and strong."

Well, this is getting interesting. Now we know we won't be watching a Leia-like damsel in distress. This girl can protect herself! (Sounds like a perfect fit for Saoirse Ronan, who has been rumored to be auditioning for "Star Wars" and who played a genius assassin in "Hanna.")

Actors vying for the male role of "Thomas" (also a likely pseudonym) must be over 18, handsome, smart, and athletic. Similar to Rachel, he grew up "without his father's influence." (Notice how the casting description doesn't say his father is dead. Hmm.) Unlike Rachel, Thomas's role isn't explicitly open to "all ethnicities." Could he be the son of Skywalker, Leia, and/or Solo?
See the casting sheet and speculate for yourself:


3 comments:

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  2. Saoirse Ronan was great in HANNA. I wouldn't be upset at all if she was in the movie. But in the end I hope they get as many unknown actors as possible. I just can't suffer through another Samuel L. Jackson.

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  3. While I agree about casting as many unknowns as possible, I don't think we have to worry about Saoirse. I can almost picture her in a Star Wars film and she seems to be a natural fit where as Samuel had no business in the prequels.

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