Star Wars Episode VII: Meet the Cast

Disney released the cast list of Star Wars: Episode VII along with a photo taken at a script reading of the film. Joining original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker the new actors promise to bring something special to the new episodes in the Star Wars saga.  So, let’s meet them:

Adam Driver

The actor is best known as Lena Dunham’s love interest in the HBO television series Girls, but he has also made quite an impact on the big screen in films such as Tracks, Lincoln and notably Inside Llewyn Davis where he had a scene-stealing small role.  Driver has been long-rumoured to play a Darth Vader like villain in the new Star Wars saga, and it seems as though this has been more than a rumour.

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Issac was Llewyn Davis himself in the Coen Brothers’ brilliant film Inside Llewyn Davis.  I am excited about this casting news and have been excited about Oscar’s film career since the opening scene of the brilliant ILD.

Andy Serkis

This makes perfect sense.  I assume director J.J. Abrams will make use of Andy Serkis’ prolific and brilliant skills as an actor who utilizes motion capture to perfection.  He’s played Gollum in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, King Kong in King Kong and Caesar the chimp in Rise of Planet of the Apes.  If Abrams is looking to evolve the Star Wars films from the masks and in camera vfx of the original into a more digestible film for a modern day audience, Andy Serkis is the man to help him do so.

Domhnall Gleeson

He has played a Weasley brother in Harry Potter, had a role in the bleak Irish film Cavalry, and more recently a starring role opposite Michael Fassbender in the brilliant film Frank.  After seeing Frank and his brilliant performance in it, I have faith that this is excellent casting news.

John Boyega

John likely has a lead role in the new Star Wars.  He comes from a lead role in the classic British film Attack the Block.  A very interesting choice to say the least.

Daisy Ridley

Very little is known about this relative newcomer.  She has had bit parts in various productions, but this is her first major role.  And it’s likely a leading one.

Max von Sydow

He is Swedish and a screen legend.  He’s basically a bad-ass old thesp who’s been in everything… and now Star Wars.